The United Church of Underhill is one of the 10 churches which run and support the Essex, Jericho, Underhill Ecumenical Ministry Food Shelf. Once a month, we gather at 9:00 am at Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Route 15 in Jericho to distribute food to neighbors in our community.
For more information, contact:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 899-3932
Food Shelf website: https://ejufoodshelf.wixsite.com/ejufoodshelf
The Vermont Food Bank Farmers to Families food box distribution information, dates and locations can be found here: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/coronavirus-services-for-individuals/coronavirus-food-distributions
Need Help?
The Jericho-Underhill Ecumenical Ministries Food Shelf distributes food one Saturday a month from 9:00-10:30am. Generally, the distribution occurs on the 3rd Saturday of each month; however, there are some exceptions. See the schedule on the Calendar page.
We never turn anyone away, but our immediate neighbors in Essex, Jericho and Underhill are served first, and then those from neighboring communities.
No appointment is necessary.
No meals served.
Children’s clothing is also available at Food Shelf pickup times.
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Route 15, Jericho 05465. (See Directions for more info)
Donate
The Food Shelf welcomes monetary donations sent via check to PO Box 65 Jericho, VT 05465. Monetary donations may also be made through UCU electronic giving by clicking on the green “Give Now” button found on our Online Giving page. As of mid-March, food donations are being accepted in bins at Price Chopper, Hannaford and Jericho Market. Please use those locations while the church building is not being used for worship.
The staples we distribute include the following:
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Pasta
- Mac & Cheese
- Tuna
- Soup
- Peanut Butter
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Baked Beans
Generally speaking, the food shelf receives more black beans, kidney beans or refried beans than we are able to distribute, so please donate items from the priority list above rather than these items. (Any food that our patrons will not take is taken to the Burlington food shelf, so be assured that whatever you donate will not going to waste.)
Our church has been asked to focus on providing tuna. This is a good source of protein that is flexible to cook with and is shelf stable. The next time you go shopping and try to remember what it is the food shelf needs most this month it will be easy: Tuna!
The other churches in our ministry have all adopted the remaining staples.
This is of course not to say that we want nothing but tuna. Any and all contributions are welcome!
Volunteer
Set up occurs from 7:00-8:30PM the Thursday before distribution.
We set up tables for the different foods and put everything out to get ready for the distribution. Participating churches take turns being the primary church responsible for set up, but all are welcome – many hands make light work!
Directions
The Jericho Underhill Ecumenical Food Shelf is hosted at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465-0495.
FROM THE WEST take VT Rte. 15 through Colchester and Essex Junction, continuing east through Essex Center and Jericho toward Underhill. The church is located between Jericho and Underhill just west of Brown’s Trace.
FROM THE EAST take VT Rte. 15 through Cambridge continuing west through Underhill. The church is located between Underhill and Jericho just west of Brown’s Trace.
FROM THE NORTH Take Route I-89 southbound to exit 11 (Richmond Exit). Turn left onto US 2 (end of ramp). Go a few hundred yards under interstate and past entrance ramp. Turn right onto VT Rte. 117. Travel 2.6 miles along river. Turn right onto Barber Farm Road and travel 2.5 miles. Turn left at stop sign (Browns Trace) go through Jericho Ctr., down hill and STRAIGHT through the intersection. Travel up the hill past the High School about 2 miles to the road’s end (Truck Center at corner). Turn left onto VT Rte. 15 and go about 50 yards to the first driveway beyond the Good Shepherd sign on the right.
FROM THE SOUTH take Route I-89 northbound to exit 11 (Richmond Exit). Turn right at end of ramp onto US 2. In a few feet turn right onto VT Rte. 117. Travel 2.6 miles along river. Turn right onto Barber Farm Road and travel 2.5 miles. Turn left at stop sign (Browns Trace) go through Jericho Ctr., down hill and STRAIGHT through the intersection. Travel up the hill past the High School about 2 miles to the road’s end (Truck Center at corner). Turn left onto VT Rte. 15 and go about 50 yards to the first driveway beyond the Good Shepherd sign on the right.
Community Dinners
In addition to supporting the Food Shelf, several of the churches in the Jericho/Underhill area also provide a monthly dinner of some sort. All of these are open to the public and are free of charge. We would love to have you join us!