Food drive set for Paramount
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: March 25, 2009
The cupboard isn't bare just yet, and the organizers of Pack the Paramount want to keep it that way.
The annual food drive takes place at the Paramount Theatre from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. While the event has previously run three days, organizers said they shortened it to two to "heighten the excitement."
"Over the history of the event, we found that Thursday was our slowest day," organizer Ann Warrell said, adding that they lengthened the hours Friday and Saturday.
The Paramount, along with co-sponsors Omya, Central Vermont Public Service Corp. and Catamount Radio, will collect nonperishable food items for the food shelves at BROC Community Action in Southwestern Vermont, the Rutland Community Cupboard and the Salvation Army.
Sue Bassett, coordinator of the Rutland Community Cupboard, said the spiraling economy has driven up demand.
"We have a lot of first-time families, people who thought that they'd never need to use a food bank — retired teachers, an engineer, a lot of people in the construction business, people who've been laid off, people who've had their hours reduced to where they can't make ends meet," she said.
Fortunately, Bassett said, donations have kept up with demand.
"Every month we hold our breath thinking there'll come a time when we can't, but we're keeping up with it," she said. "February tends to be a month where we're low stocked. We weren't. We were packed to the gills. It was great. Pack the Paramount will get us back up again."
Food shelves outside Rutland tell a similar story. Julie Austin, director of Fair Haven Concerned, said demand was starting to level off, though it was still high, and that donors were rising to the occasion.
"I think they realize times are hard right now and they want to share what they have," she said.
Warrell said the event this year will include a "Mini Food Drive" in which volunteers driving Mini Coopers will pick up food. Warrell said anyone physically unable to come to the Paramount can call 353-5659 for a pickup Friday or Saturday.
In addition to food — with items like peanut butter, pasta, rice and bottled juice listed as particularly in demand — organizers also seek toilet paper, paper towels and other household items for families.
Warrell said the event got its most donations in 2007, where it took in more than 17,000 items. Last year, an attempt to top that failed, with about 14,000 items coming in. This year, Warrell said, they are shooting for 20,000.
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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