Project Feed the Thousands Announces New Co-Chairs Ahead of 18th Annual Winter Food Drive
As Project Feed the Thousands gears up for another ambitious drive to collect non-perishable food and funds for the local fight against hunger, co-founders and co-chairs, George Haynes and Larry Smith, announced organizational changes beginning with this year’s campaign at a press conference held October 20th in Brattleboro. Kelli Corbeil, owner and General Manager of WTSA Radio and Jeff Morse, President and Chief Executive Officer of River Valley Credit Union, will now serve as co-chairs and will lead the community effort moving forward.
Haynes and Smith co-founded Project Feed the Thousands in 1994 and will serve as Advisor Co-Chairs during this year’s transition. According to Smith, this new leadership will place the Project in a strong position to help good people in need for years to come. “Kelli and Jeff are the perfect people to take the reins and make Project Feed the Thousands more effective than ever,” said Smith. “When George and I founded the Project, we collected half a tractor trailer truck of non-perishable food and personal care items and $1,700 dollars,” Smith commented. “In recent years, thanks to the efforts our local communities’ involvement and generosity, we’ve been amassing 25 trailer loads of food and up to $125,000 each year. We’ve had to get better and do more, because the need is growing. That urgency continues.”
Haynes pointed out the continuity that the incoming Co-Chairs will bring to the Project’s ongoing success. “Kelli and Jeff have both been involved with Project Feed the Thousands for years,” explained Haynes, “so they know what it takes to bring community people together for a good cause. When Larry and I started this, I was with Brattleboro Savings & Loan and he was at WTSA. As of today, Project Feed the Thousands will still benefit from the backing of one of the area’s most important media providers, and one of the most locally focused financial institutions. Kelli and Jeff’s combined experience, local insight and civic resources will be keys to feeding thousands of deserving local people in 2012 and beyond.”
Corbeil stressed the importance of Project Feed the Thousands following the upheaval of Tropical Storm Irene. “Food shelves and drop In centers across our region have reported seeing people they haven’t seen before, people whose homes may have washed away or whose roads to work were destroyed. So far, our communities have been amazing, coming together to rebuild. But as we head into winter, and people have to juggle their food bills and home heating, the need only becomes more acute.”
Compounding the challenge is the continuing weakness of the economy, said Morse. “When jobs are scarce, food is scarce. It’s that simple. It’s going to take all of us, coming together for our neighbors, to make Project Feed the Thousands a success once again. Our whole community thanks George and Larry for all of their hard work over the years, and we look forward to their continued participation as Advisory Co-Chairs. I’m confident that this year we’ll honor their legacy by continuing to make a real difference for children, families, seniors and others who don’t get enough to eat.”
Melinda Bussino, Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center said “We have seen a 20% increase in the past few months of people in the local area needing food assistance”.
Project Feed the Thousands is the largest annual food drive in our area. It serves people of all ages in Southeastern Vermont, as well as New Hampshire border towns in collaboration with local businesses, schools, and community organizations. People may find more information and online donation forms for Project Feed the Thousands at feedthethousands.org.