HOPE - Helping Overcome Poverty's Effects

06/04/2026

Thanks to the Congregational Church of Middlebury’s incredible food drive last weekend at the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, three quarters of a ton of food came into our food shelf. HOPE’s food shelf is very heavily used as a resource for low-income people in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. It is getting harder and harder for people on fixed incomes to absorb the increased cost of gas, food, heating fuel, housing and other essential needs. HOPE’s food shelf can help people stretch their income further. Lately, there are days when we see more than 80 people coming to us for surplus food items. On a monthly basis, we regularly provide food assistance for close to a thousand people at our food shelf. Food drives like this help us meet a critical need in our community. Thank you to the Church, the Co-op, all the volunteers and everyone who contributed to make this such a success.

06/01/2026

Sending our heartfelt thanks to Holly Catlin, who has once again beautified HOPE’s entryways with gorgeous planters. Holly has loyally carried on her father-in-law, Dick Catlin’s tradition of decorating seasonal planters for HOPE. It brightens our days here immeasurably and we are so grateful!

05/22/2026

Enjoy the holiday!

05/01/2026

HOPE was honored to partner with The Richards Group for their company’s annual “I Make a Difference Day.” The Richards Group employees collaborated on a food drive to help local families experiencing food insecurity. Yesterday, Missy Clifford dodged the raindrops to deliver 226 pounds of non-perishable food to HOPE’s food shelf. We very much appreciate The Richards Group’s efforts and generosity. Donations like this one are a big help as we work to keep our food shelf stocked for our neighbors in need. Thank you to Missy, and everyone at The Richards Group for making this food drive such a success!❤️❤️❤️

04/30/2026

Do you have a portable air conditioner that you are not using? Each summer, HOPE has a few clients with severe health issues that are exacerbated by extreme heat. Sometimes we can connect them with a portable air conditioner, but that depends on whether any have been donated to us. Because these units will be passed on to a person with compromised lung function, please note that donated air conditioners will need to meet certain requirements: no older than five years, in good working condition with a clean filter, free of mold and mildew, and stored in a dry space rather than a basement. Please call Mary at (802) 388-2522 and make an appointment to bring your air conditioner to our warehouse. We will need to inspect it before we can accept the donation so that we do not incur disposal fees for something that cannot be used. Thank you for your understanding and any help you can provide.

04/23/2026

Are you a knitter? HOPE would love your help! We need hand knit winter hats and neck warmers for children. Each year, HOPE’s seasonal Holiday Shop provides warm hats and neck warmers for children in need. If you are looking for knitting or crocheting projects this spring and summer, please consider donating some of your handiwork to help children from low-income families in our community. HOPE’s Holiday Shop serves children – infants to high school-aged. In 2025, the Holiday Shop brightened the year end holidays for 666 children. We appreciate donations of hats and neck warmers of all sizes! Donations can be brought to HOPE’s main office at 282 Boardman Street in Middlebury, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm. Thank you for any help you can provide.

04/16/2026

Marion's Place , HOPE's resale store, is hiring!

‼️Our warehouse is hiring!‼️

04/15/2026

Sending out a HUGE thank you to County Tire Center and Addison County Alignment and Repair for their incredible donation of 1,334 pounds of food to HOPE! For the past 13 years, County Tire has generously run their “Free Brakes for Food” promotion that has collected donations of non-perishable food items for HOPE’s food shelf. These donations provide critical assistance for people in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. We appreciate this support and the support of everyone who donated items during this food drive.

04/08/2026

This past weekend, on the Saturday before Easter, two dedicated, hard-working groups stood outside of local food stores to collect food for community members in need. St. Mary's Knights of Columbus, and members of the Lions Club of Middlebury, collected 3,115 pounds and 1,735 pounds, respectively, for a total of 4,850 pounds! Nearly two and a half tons! We are so grateful for their caring and their work, for the food stores that hosted their collections, and for the generous community members who picked up an extra can or box or case of food. Please know, everyone, how very much this means to all of us at HOPE, including our board, our staff, and our clients. Thank you!!!

04/06/2026

We have just learned that EastRise Credit Union has generously granted a $2,500 gift to HOPE in support of our food programs. Thank you, EastRise, this is very helpful!