BRATTLEBORO-St. Michael's Episcopal Church's Tag Sale on May 4 raised $10,000 for Loaves and Fishes.
Loaves and Fishes is a community meals program for "anyone who's hungry," located in Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. The 40-year-old program prepares and serves hundreds of homemade meals on Tuesday and Friday each week and delivers meals and groceries to those who are homebound. Ruth Tilghman of St. Michael's parish coordinates the all-volunteer program.
"The weather forecast that day was for rain," said volunteer coordinator Liz Vick of St. Michael's in a news release, "and organizers were debating where to hang the large quantity of very nice men's and women's clothing which had been donated, and how to display the furniture outside the big tents without items getting damaged by water. Fortunately, it didn't rain, and the sale was a great success!"
"Many local people lined up outside the church yard in anticipation of the sale beginning at 8:30 a.m., and then rushed in when the opening bell sounded," Vick adds. "Families found clothing and shoes, book-lovers found lots of books, and so on. Most of the items available were not priced - excepting jewelry, furniture, and food - and people were encouraged to fill bags and take all they needed, in exchange for financial donations to Loaves and Fishes."
When asked how they will use the funds raised by the Tag Sale, Tilghman responded, "We'll use it for food. Prices have gone up so much, and this money will really help us out."
The St. Michael's Episcopal Church Tag Sale is managed by parishioners who organize, promote, and run the event. In recent years, funds raised have gone to local organizations serving local people in need, such as Groundworks Collaborative, the Windham County Heat Fund, and the St. Michael's Afghan Refugee support organization.
"The people of the Brattleboro area have been incredibly generous in their support of our efforts," says Vick. "We are always amazed and so appreciative of people's commitment to helping those who really need it."
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.