Kallan Malabad is a sophomore studying Digital Media & Communications and Art & Design at Saint Michael’s College. This article is published through a collaboration between The Winooski News and a journalism course at Saint Michael’s College.
WINOOSKI — When Linda Howe first started working at the Winooski Food Shelf, it took up only a tiny corner on the first floor of the Winooski United Methodist Church. Now, it’s a full-blown operation that fills the church’s entire first floor and services 157 families of Winooski, Vermont.
On a recent Saturday morning, eight volunteers gathered in the church and blanketed tables with produce, meats, sandwiches, breads and desserts. Winooski residents piled into a line outside and entered one at a time, each being greeted by Howe. They picked up their weekly produce and pantry staple bags and moved across the tables, selecting their desired meats and breads.
“The food was pouring out of this place,” Howe said. “As you can see, this is important stuff.”
Howe, who has been volunteering as the food shelf director for over 10 years, leads the process. As a 40-year resident of Winooski, she knows the ins and outs of the city and its people.
Q. What inspired you to start working at the food shelf?
A. It was two of the older women in the church that started it. But I would go occasionally, and I would see the need.
I remember one man had to have this horrific abdominal surgery. I think they probably took most of his colon. Young man, and he was literally leaving there crying with bags of food. So, I could see how important it was. Eventually, when the person in charge at the time couldn’t work anymore, I had to take over.
Q. What is the most rewarding part of working at the food shelf for you?
A. Well, I think you saw today, the grandmother showing us photos of the new baby. We’re all part of their families, so I think it’s the feeling of inclusion on both our parts. It’s really rewarding.
Q. Is there something that you wish people knew more about the Winooski Food Shelf?
A. Number one, we work really hard. We get regular training to be able to deal with all of life’s challenges.
Number two, we need money and volunteers that are joyful. We need people that appreciate what they have and appreciate helping others that simply will never have that much.
We make a lot of people happy. It makes their tough days brighter. And it takes some stress off people and that’s all we can hope for.
Q. You said you need more volunteers. How do you recruit people to help out?
A. Most volunteers come by word of mouth. People drag their friends in, and they have a good time. I think they have a sense of accomplishment at the end of it. Even just coming in on a Tuesday morning and seeing that five or seven of you have filled 100 bags with food. That’s a big accomplishment.
Q. How is your role different from that of the other volunteers?
A. I’m doing all the background and paperwork, the behind the scenes. I’m ordering the food. I’m paying the bills. I’m answering the phone. I’m answering the emails, hopefully for future volunteers. I’m hoping that’s what those are.
Q. There’s a lot of cultural diversity in Winooski. How does that play into the food shelf operations?
A. We have to be very understanding of all different religions and cultures. Muslims, for example, don’t eat pork, so we have to be careful about that. I buy a lot of lentils because they’re so popular with refugees.
I don’t like dogs at the shelf either because many cultures see them as unclean wild animals and they aren’t kept as pets. We’re learning a lot about the world here.
Most refugee groups came here with nothing, so they’re more likely to be targeted by food insecurity. And then there’s the extra fear of ICE, too. Many people don’t speak English, so we just use pictures of food and gestures to communicate. We do whatever we have to do to help.
Q. How has the trajectory of the Winooski Food Shelf changed in recent years?
A. When COVID hit and everyone was losing their jobs, the numbers went through the roof. It was overwhelming, literally overwhelming. I was sending people to the food bank constantly because we didn’t have enough food. I’m one that can turn on a dime, which we had to do. I don’t panic, I just say, “Where are we going to get it from?”
Luckily, the food bank came through, and we moved operations outside. The first floor of the church used to be used for people to visit and sit. Now, we can never go back to that. I can’t put 70 families in there; I need it all for table space. You saw those tables covered with food.
Q. Why should the people of Winooski that don’t suffer from food insecurity care about this issue?
A. But for the grace of God, go you, is always the answer. You’re only one situation away from being in that same boat. Losing your job, having somebody in the family get seriously ill, it’ll cost you a lot out of pocket. I survived a head-on car crash with a drunk driver, and I’ll tell you, wow, it’s wicked expensive to come back from serious injuries. Be grateful for what you have but could you please share some. Please share.
The Winooski Food Shelf is open every second and fourth Wednesday and Saturday of the month. Registered clients can receive food on one Wednesday and both Saturdays each month.