HOLLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Northeast Kingdom residents are losing access to food amid the news that the Holland Food Shelf is preparing to close its doors for good.
“We got the other letter saying, sorry, the federal government was nixing that program,” said food shelf director Lucy Neel.
The food shelf served 32 families on Wednesday, and has served 700 families a month for the past three years. A total loss of federal SNAP funding is forcing the shelf to close its doors permanently.
“I’m heartbroken. I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve shed. For me, it’s a loss because I look forward to it. I love being here, I love volunteering, it’s a real lift for me, but I really am worried about the people who are the patrons,” said food shelf volunteer Judy Appel.
Organizers say the pantry mostly serves seniors living on a fixed income.
“One fellow took me by the hand and said Ms. Lucy, what am I going to do now?” said Neel.
However, the perishables and fresh produce go toward all types of people: families with a parent who recently lost their job, disabled folks, the Abenaki, new moms, and all sorts of Northeast Kingdom neighbors looking for fresh, free food.
“It’s a very depressed area. There’s a lot of people who are in need of food and food services, and they don’t always have a working vehicle to travel long distances to get to those grocery stores. So, having a food shelf here really meant a lot,” said Donald Stevens, Chief of the Nulhegan Abenaki tribe.
Now, the organizers are referring folks to NEKCA in Newport and the Island Pond food shelf. Canaan food shelf is closing on October 1st due to its simultaneous loss of SNAP funding. Stevens says it’s a bad time for it to happen. Since opening, the food shelf is seeing more visitors than ever before.
“With the inflation and higher prices, we’re seeing an increase of people needing food,” said Stevens.
The last day the food shelf will be open is September 24th.
