Helping others, minimizing food waste

Hanover High junior finds community in volunteer work

By PATRICK O’GR ADY Valley News Correspondent

Lily Weinstein Terry, 17, volunteers weekly at Willing Hands, a Norwich-based nonprofit organization that recovers fresh food from various sources and makes it available year-round to 80 area social service organizations.

Terry, a Hanover High School junior, said in an email she is grateful to be involved in a local organization that has a strong climate and social focus and hopes her work inspires others of her generation to volunteer their time in the service of others.

Question: When did you begin volunteering at Willing Hands and why did you choose this organization?

Answer: I began volunteering with Willing Hands in 2020. I love working in the garden and wanted to find a way to give back to my community. I was working at Cedar Circle and saw volunteering in the garden there as a great way to do this.

Q: Can you describe some of the work you do and how many hours a week you devote to Willing Hands?

A : I normally spend about two to five hours a week volunteering with Willing Hands. Each week is different and the work changes with the seasons. The work that I have done at the Cedar Circle garden (in East Thetford) has been planting and weeding some weeks and harvesting and processing others.

I have also volunteered at gleaning sessions, where we harvest the vegetables from fields that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Q: What is it that you like most about the work?

A : I really like how the work we do has a direct impact on our local community. The food goes from the fields to the people who need it most. This is a great way to help others while at the same time minimizing the amount of food that goes to waste and minimizing food waste-related CO2 emissions.

I also really enjoy meeting other members of the community; everyone has their own reason for volunteering and interesting stories to share. Through my volunteer work I have had the chance to meet and connect with a lot of people that I never would have had the chance to meet other wise.

Q: Why is it important for youth to volunteer?

A : Volunteering can give youth a lot of skills that will be beneficial later in life, such as leadership, organization, teamwork and communication. It can also be a great way to make a difference within your community.

Q: What would you say to others your age that are not volunteering now but may be thinking about it? How do you think it can change them?

A : It is important to find time to do something for others, even if it is only a few hours a week. Not only will your work have a positive impact on the lives of others, but it will give you new perspectives and leave you with important skills that you can apply to other tasks later in life. The work is rewarding and through it you become part of a community of like-minded volunteers who are committed to doing work that makes a difference.

In order to create change we all have to work together and volunteering with a great organization like Willing Hands is a good place to start.

Vermont

Ascutne Y

Ascutney Union ChurchFood Cupboard: 5243 Route 5.Serving residents of Ascutney, Weathersfield, Amsden, Perkinsville, Greenbush, Weathersfield Center/Bowand Windsor.Saturday,9-10 a.m. 802-674-2484.

Be Thel

Bethel Area FoodShelf: 129 Church St.Servingresidents ofBethel,Barnard, Pittsfieldand Stockbridge.Monday,noon1p.m.;Thursday, 5-7p.m.802-234-5513or bethelvtfoodshelf.org.

Br Adford

Bradford Churches Food Shelf: Academy Building, 172 N.Main St. Monday,Tuesdayand Thursday,3-4p.m.; Wednesday, 5-6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-noon. 802-291-1274 or 603-272-4953.

Chelse A

Chelsea Food Shelf: United Church of Chelsea, 13 North Common. Second Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. and fourth Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m.Emergency needsbyappointment, 802-685-3146.

Fairlee

Orford/Fairlee Food Shelf: Town Hall,Town CommonRoad, Fairlee.Serving residents of Orford, Fairlee and the Rivendell SchoolDistrict onMondayThursday9 a.m.-3:30p.m.and Friday10 a.m.-noon. 802-333-4363.

Hartford Village

Joseph’s Storehouse at Cornerstone Community Center: 14 ElkSt.Sundays 12:45-1:45 p.m. and by appointment. 802295-5738 or 603-252-6901.

Hartl And

Hartland Food Shelf: Universalist Church, 8Brownsville Road,Hartland Four Corners.Friday 8-10 a.m. andby appointment. Hartlandfoodshelf.com, 802763-0039.

Ne Wbury

Newbury Food Shelf: Newbury Bible Church,17 CrossSt. Openfour timesa month. Contact 802-866-5527 for schedule.

R Andolph

Randolph Area Food Shelf: 12 Prince St.Monday, Wednesdayand Friday3-5 p.m.; Tuesday, 1-5 p.m.; Thursday, 5-7 p.m. 802-431-0144 orrandolphareafoodshelf.org.

Re Ading

Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf: