Big issues require creative solutions.
Just ask Bridgette Vannorman of Windsor Human Development.
Making creative use of the Food Bank’s Impact Grant program, Bridgette was able to purchase an SUV to replace her previous delivery and pickup vehicle – her own 15-year-old Honda Civic.
Bridgette was given a series of milestones to meet in order to qualify for the grant. This included setting up procedures for determining and tracking usage and to show commitment, Bridgette needed to raise the first year’s operating costs in advance.
Three months later, through their own community fundraising, the vehicle belonged to Windsor Human Development.
“It elevates the idea that solutions are in the community,” says Amanda Palme, the Food Bank’s Community Impact Senior Manager. “It was a true collaborative effort.”
The impact was immediate and profound for both Bridgette and her son Trevor, her right hand in operating the food pantry. Bridgette is now able to continue the work that earned her the Food Bank’s Jack Balinsky Charity & Justice Award last year.
“One of the front and center subjects for Trevor and me is how in the world we ever survived prior to having something other than our small two-door car,” she says. “In the short time we have had this incredible gift, we marvel at how much more efficient we are and cannot fathom going back to how we were functioning before.”
An example of increased efficiency is with deliveries made in Windsor and the surrounding area.
“We could only deliver to people close by as we were only able to pack one or two orders depending on how many people we were packing for,” Bridgette explains. “‘Household’ is not a good representation for us as we most definitely pack per person. A household can be one 90-year-old who doesn’t want much, or a family of 12, low on food, and also in need of diapers for two babies, detergent, dog food, and a pack-and-play (or other non-food supplies). An order like this would require two trips for us.”
“We are now able to pack these large orders and route ourselves in the most economical way possible. Before, we would have to run back to the pantry to pick up the next order.” .
The delivery vehicle has increased productivity when picking up supplies as well.
“An Aldi trip would require us to have to split up our shopping over two days,” she says. “We are also able to leave food in the cases or boxes where before we would have to re-box when we got back to the pantry.”
It was the same for picking up donated and gleaned goods and produce. “Many times we would not be able to take all that was offered to us,” she shared. .”
Having the new vehicle has also helped in strengthening the pantry’s partnership with Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES), a nonprofit network establishing and maintaining community gardens in Broome County, becoming one of their largest distribution points.
“The weekly farm shares come from a local farm a couple of miles down the road so a win/win for all,” Bridgette says. “VINES has a program where the cost is adjusted by income (a micro share cost $3.25/week for most of our guests so very affordable) and also accepts EBT/SNAP. We focused especially on the low-income senior housing to deliver this wonderful fresh produce to.”
“One woman, who is wheelchair bound, said it felt like opening gifts every week seeing what was in her farm share. Trevor and I could see a healthier glow for many, and a few people mentioned their doctors said to keep up with whatever it was they were doing.”
You can read this and other stories from around the Southern Tier in our quarterly newsletter, The Harvester, on our website.