Sharing gratitude, being love

The Kedron Brook in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When days of cloudy skies turn to light, we experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments — and Saturday morning was such a time. I was quietly reading at my desk and looked up to see beautiful light shining into the room, illuminating part of it. Another few minutes, and the light shifted slightly, spreading further into the room as it took up more of the window. 

It struck me that good works much in the same way. Like the sunlight, it shines into our lives, and though there are days where it seems not to reach every corner of our experience, it is still active, still lending warmth, still breathing life into hope. This beautiful sense of good marches on, even through the toughest times. 

This time of year, gratitude is a point of emphasis, and is always a strong force for good in the world. Thanksgiving gives us a much-needed nudge to slow down our thought and take a moment to acknowledge the most important things. It provides an instant connection to how love is being expressed. For example, food shelves and other nonprofits are continuing to help those most in need, individuals and organizations step up to help their neighbors, and the smallest acts of kindness still go a long, long way. That’s because the light of goodness shining brightly in our hearts is a natural state of being for us, and it’s what we feel when gratitude is expressed. Take the example of Debra Ferrell of Virginia, who founded a nonprofit based on small acts of kindness. 

“It is a kindness organization where our motto is, ‘Be love. Do stuff,’” Ferrell recently told the media. 

Being love. Those two words are hugely important in today’s world, one where, so often, love seems to be very much overshadowed, or even under siege. But every time that issue comes into view, the perspective we bring to the table makes a difference, and it’s something we can consider, something we have the right to change. Even through challenges, the opportunity to be love — to do good, show gratitude to others — reveals life-changing actions we can take right now in our communities. In this world, nothing is more needed, and nothing can stand in the way of good that’s ready to make a difference.

— Gareth Henderson

The value of gratitude

A countryside scene off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the wintry air settles in and we celebrate Thanksgiving, we're moved to ponder the value of gratitude. In a year like this one, it's a quality that renews our push toward progress like nothing else can.

In a way, 2020, through its myriad challenges, has seeded the garden of gratitude very well. In the darkest of times, the light in our life shines brighter, illuminates other things to be grateful for, and presents us with more hope for the future. Central to that hope are the blessings closest to us, and the support of friends and family — even from afar — has been so meaningful this year. At the community level, we've seen people step up for their neighbors, whether it's showing up to volunteer in person, or donating to a local relief effort. As the months have gone on, we've perhaps even gained relationships or connections we never had before, and had the chance to strengthen long-standing ones.

As we remember these points of gratitude, they strengthen us with their light, even now. The power of a grateful heart is real. There is nothing small about the inspiration it propels, or the hope it cultivates. It moves us to share thoughts of gratitude with others, which amplifies the goodness in our lives, uplifts people, and opens pathways to progress we may not have seen before. That's surely a pattern we can all embrace and nurture together, and the best gift we can impart on Thanksgiving 2020.

— Gareth Henderson

Food shelf looks to brighten up Thanksgiving

The Ottauquechee River flows through Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Food shelves across the country are gearing up to provide Thanksgiving turkeys for those in need, during a year of increased food insecurity during the pandemic.

In Vermont, these organizations have been crucial in 2020, since food insecurity now impacts 1 out of 4 families statewide — it was 1 in 10 before COVID-19 hit. That means there is even less to go around for the holiday season, and that's where local organizations are stepping in.

The Woodstock Community Food Shelf is providing its annual Thanksgiving baskets, in a year when donors have generously increased their support. It's estimated that about 130 families will sign up for baskets.

"We are so thankful to be a part of such a warm, embracing community, one which, although small in numbers, is enormous in spirit and generosity," according to a recent media statement from Sheila Murray, Sandra Audsley and Leigh Snell, who are coordinating the Thanksgiving Project.

This annual effort supplies a Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings, which feeds four to six people. Fresh produce is purchased for the baskets closer to the distribution date of Nov. 21. It's a project many people in need have come to rely on, said Diana Brown, the food shelf's publicity manager. And it's all the more critical this year.

"There are always people who register as guests and they only come to get the turkey, the Thanksgiving basket, because otherwise they wouldn't have what they need," Brown said.

Late fall-early winter is a common time for donations to come in, Brown said, but people have certainly recognized the great need during this difficult year.

"There've been more people inquiring about sending money for the Thanksgiving baskets," she said.

Any individual or family living anywhere in Vermont is welcome to receive a Thanksgiving basket. There are no income barriers. The main difference this year: The baskets will be brought out to waiting vehicles, due to precautions during the pandemic.

Interested people must sign up in person at the Food Shelf by Saturday, Nov. 14. (New families can register and sign up at the same time). The Food Shelf is open Monday, 4-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 1-3 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. It is located at 217 Maxham Meadow Way in Woodstock, just off Route 4. The phone number is 802-457-1185, and the website is: www.woodstockfoodshelf.org.

Pick-up is on Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. The pick up location is at the mill building, just down the dirt road from the Food Shelf. Runners have volunteered to bring the Thanksgiving baskets out to vehicles.

There are also people who may not usually volunteer during the year, but Brown said they'll help with the Thanksgiving baskets, because it's inspiring to see the grateful smiles on people's faces as they receive them.

"I think there's great joy in it from all perspectives," she said.

Community efforts like this one are a warm embrace for those who need this support, and in 2020, that's so incredibly important. It's also such an inspiration to see people in Vermont, and in many places across the U.S., step up to meet the needs of their neighbors. It shows the resilience of our people, and the innate kindness and love which are always ready to rise to the occasion, however difficult the situation may be. That reflects who we truly are, and this holiday season, that loving spirit will shine through brightly, touching many hearts.

— Gareth Henderson

To donate to the Thanksgiving Project, checks should be made payable to the “Woodstock Community Food Shelf” with “Thanksgiving” written in the memo field. Checks may either be dropped off at 217 Maxham Meadow Way, or mailed to PO Box 570, Woodstock, Vt. 05091. If it is more convenient, donations may be made through the website: www.woodstockfoodshelf.org.

Editor’s note: The number of families expected to sign up for a Thanksgiving basket program this year has been corrected to “about 130.”