People Helping People

PHP Burlington Food Pantry: Provides supplemental food assistance on a weekly basis to help residents that meet certain financial qualifications for eligibility meet their nutritional needs. The pantry is set-up to provide a grocery store experience, but has been continuing with drive up distribution instituted during COVID. In total the Pantry distributed an equivalent of approx. 323,425 pounds of food in addition to the distribution of donated Grocery Store Gift Cards totaling $27,000 (estimated at an additional 21,600 pounds). Included in the total distributions were 9,290 pounds that were distributed to 38 distinct migrant families with the Mobile pantry. under the Food Pantry umbrella, the PHP Victory Garden is fully staffed by volunteers that produces fresh produce for pantry clients, which during the growing season accounted for 3,400 pounds of food or an approximate in kind value of $6,560. Additionally, the pantry provides a Lunch Program for Kids that provides healthy food to eligible school-age children during school breaks. Overall there were 297 visits in 2023 for approx. 80 children and also 243 backpacks were collected and distributed to the children or provided the the Burlington Public Schools for the new school year. In total Volunteers provided almost 11,000 Hours of support to our staff to ensure that the Food Pantry and Victory Garden can provide the necessary support to the Pantry clients. Program Service Accomplishments accumulated over 1,800 visits with an average of 153 households helped during the month. Addition cumulative statistics include: # of Adults: 2,335; # of Children: 1,715; # of Senior: 776; # of New Households: 87 (including displaced families); # of Veterens: 18; Pet Pantry: 2,200 pounds of food

Covenant for Basic Needs: Established to meet the temporary, emergency needs of individuals and families who are in need of support to cover rent, utilities, emergency housing, medical needs, etc. Additionally, we have supported summer camps for children. All of the requests are screened by counselors at Burlington Youth & Family Services. Total Funding: $19,865 # of Claims: 50 Avg. Cost/Claim: $397 Avg. Monthly Funding: $1,655

Holiday Program: Support the eligible families through Holiday Meals and the Wish Tree Program. While the majority items distributed for the Holiday programs are donated in kind, the organization will purchase open items for the Wish Tree to ensure wishes are fulfilled for all the children. The total holiday gift program expenses are split between estimated in-kind donations of $71,309 and purchases of $15,338 partially offset in the year by donations labeled for Holiday and InGathering. Holiday Meals: Through a separate InGathering distribution, meals are distributed to the pantry clients on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving InGathering served 135 families through the distribution of 8,795 pounds of food, including an estimated weight applied to the $40 gift cards given to clients to supplement their Thanksgiving Meals. Several corporate sponsors support the program through in kind or cash donations. In December, PHP also distributed $4,945 of Grocery Store Gift Cards for the pantry clients to put towards a holiday meal. Wish Tree: Helps eligible families, providing children with gifts including clothing, shoes, bedding, toys, books and blankets, etc. The program distributed over 1,650 brand new items to 190 Children from 89 Families to fulfill basic needs and wishes. Additionally, gift cards were distributed to 71 active Senior Pantry Clients 65 or over and to 35 High School students. For the Wish Tree Program, children of Pantry Clients or those recommended through Burlington Youth & Family Services or the Public Schools receive: Sweatshirt, Pajamas, Underwear/Diapers, Shoes, books and 3 Wishes (with up to 1 Gift Card) with Blanket(s) per family. Additionally organizations have provided Socks and Generic Toys that are added to the items distributed.