Font ResizeBELLOWS FALLS -- What’s the best way to celebrate an organization you wish didn’t need to exist?
The folks at the Our Place Drop-In Center, observing its 20th anniversary, pondered that exact question and figured a string of special activities would be appropriate.
The people at Our Place, a food pantry and daytime shelter, has scheduled a fiesta and roundtable for 3:30 p.m. today to thank its supporters and recognize its volunteers. The event will bring together food providers from the bi-state area to share success stories and ways of improving their work.
"Unfortunately, we are a long way from being able to close the doors on all the free food sources in our area," said board president John Bohannon. "But we wanted to bring together all these good people to explore new ways of meeting the needs of so many folks who face food insecurity every day."
Volunteers from food shelves and meal sites, as well as food donors such as farms, groceries and bakeries have been invited. John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank, will also attend. The center hopes local, state and federal government officials who have been invited will also be on hand.
Following the roundtable, the attendees will join other community members to share a meal and celebratory activities, including recognition of volunteers, staff and donors, and the drawing for Our Place’s annual 50-50 raffle.
Our Place was founded in 1992 by
This June, Our Place served 1,434 breakfasts, lunches and to-go meals, an average of 65 per day, plus 158 families representing 511 people received food from the pantry or it was delivered to shut-ins.
The mission of Our Place is to offer help with food and other essential needs in a non-judgmental, safe, and respectful atmosphere. It serves families in the greater Rockingham and surrounding areas, as well as Walpole and North Walpole, N.H.
Information is available by calling 802-463-2217, or by visiting ourplace@sover.net, www.ourplacevt.org or Facebook.
