Tucked away in the back of the City Center building in downtown Montpelier, a small group of volunteers worked on a recent Tuesday morning to unload more than 700 pounds of food just transported from the Vermont Foodbank’s warehouse in Barre. Within a few hours, the metal shelves they stocked with peanut butter, mac and cheese, and canned vegetables would be nearly bare once again. “Food in, food out” is how my friend Katie describes the flow. She has volunteered at the Montpelier Food Pantry for a decade, and for the last several years, she has seen the need only deepen. Today you can support news coverage of Vermont’s challenges and help alleviate hunger at the same time.Donate & send mealsThe Montpelier Food Pantry reported serving nearly 1,300 patrons a month last year, almost double the number from just a few years previous. The Montpelier site is only one of the more than 300 locations that the Vermont Foodbank supports through its statewide food distribution network.At VTDigger, we are committed to reporting on the challenges that Vermonters face every day. We know that rates of homelessness are among the highest in the nation, and that working a minimum wage job is often not enough to put food on the table. And for many Vermonters, the rising costs of health care might put a doctor out of reach.This is why the work of the Vermont Foodbank is so critical, and why VTDigger is teaming up to support its efforts.Donate & send mealsWith your support, we can continue to shine a light on these pressing issues and ensure our neighbors aren’t left behind. Join our Thanksgiving member drive by donating today and you can support two worthy causes with one simple act.Here’s how your donation helps:$25 provides 1 meal for a family in need and supports our reporting. $50 provides 5 meals and fuels in-depth investigative journalism. $100 provides 25 meals and helps us continue covering stories that matter.Give today and make a difference in your community.With appreciation,Diane DerbySenior Editor, VTDiggerRead the story on VTDigger here: Food in, food out: Need nearly doubles at local food pantry.