HARTFORD — The Hartford Community Coalition is looking for volunteers to help distribute meals to children and adults in need this summer.
The nonprofit organization’s summer lunch program began this week, and people are needed immediately for a variety of tasks including delivering cold lunches to libraries and camps throughout Hartford.
Fresh Picks Cafe, which oversees cafeteria services for the district, is preparing the meals for children under 18 while HCC will prepare meals for adults.
“The school district has been super-graceful in allowing us to utilize kitchen at the White River School,” said Emily Musty Zanleoni, executive director of the Hartford Community Coalition. “Our job at HCC … is to fill the gap for the adults that need some extra meals this summer. We’re so, so, happy that Fresh Picks Cafe is taking on the bulk of the work making the meals for kids. Our job is to distribute those meals for kids.”
As of Monday, 320 meals were being delivered to children in Hartford. Once adult meals are added, Musty Zanleoni expects that number to rise to around 400. Meals are distributed each weekday and the program will end in mid- to late August. People can still sign up to receive meals, which are distributed from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at each of the town’s five libraries.
“What we really need now is some help distributing meals at the five sites that we’ve created here in Hartford this summer,” Musty Zanleoni said.
In previous years, volunteers put together the meals for schoolchildren, but with Fresh Picks staff taking on that task, volunteer responsibilities have changed.
“I think people are going to miss that a little bit, but certainly understanding that we’re serving still very much the same population of people and they are our friends and neighbors that often we’d never guess needed help finding a meal or more throughout the week,” Musty Zanleoni said.
Children ages 12 and older can accompany their parents.
“This year is obviously a little different and we have to be extra careful this year. Nobody under 18 will have direct contact with any food,” Musty Zanleoni said. Volunteers will wear masks and gloves.
Some jobs will take a half-hour or so and might be as simple as picking up a cooler from one location and bringing it to another. The time commitment is also flexible: People can sign up for a shift once a week or once a month.
“It’s kind of a good way to get to know your neighbors as well,” Musty Zanleoni said.
Editor’s note: To sign up to volunteer or receive a meal, visit the “Hartford Community Coalition” Facebook page. For questions, email hccvtvolunteers@gmail.com.
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As the Twin States slowly reopen, there is now a mix of in-person and virtual events for people to choose from in the Upper Valley. Here are some coming up in the next few days.
■Mark Chaimberg will give a talk about refinishing furniture from 3:30-4:30 p.m. during an online program hosted by the Etna Library. Email etna.library@hanovernh.org for more information.
■Dartmouth professors William Cheng and Trica Keaton and Associate Dean Barbara Will are set todiscuss “Racism and the Educator Experience” during a virtual presentation at 7 p.m. Visit preunions.dartmouth.edu for more information and Zoom link.
■Howe Library librarians Jared Jensich and Megan Coleman will lead a discussion titled “What Are You Watching?” at 8 p.m. Share programs you’ve enjoyed and get recommendations from other participants. Email jared.jenisch@thehowe.org for Zoom link.
■The Library Arts Center is hosting a virtual exhibit from the Pastel Society of New Hampshire. View the works of art from the organization’s members from Friday through Thursday, July 23, at libraryartscenter.org.
■ArtisTree Community Art Center’s en plein air exhibit “Vermont and The Great Outdoors” will open at the South Pomfret-based nonprofit organization from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and be on display through Saturday, Aug. 15. The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. Visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. For more information, visit artistreevt.org.
■Hartford is hosting a virtual “Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event features performances, speeches and readings from Brittney & Jenea, Allene Swienckowski, Jameson Davis, Tabitha Moore, Vince Wilson, John Hall and The Dance Collective. At a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, the Selectboard approved a proclamation establishing every June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in Hartford. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92620007331.
■Bob Amos will perform from 7-8 p.m. during the online COVID Concert Series, hosted by Fairlee Community Arts. Visit fairleearts.org for information.
■Grace Lewandoski and Molly Hackett will partner with Positive Tracks to raise money and awareness for the NAACP through a virtual 5K on Saturday and Sunday to show support as allies in the Black Lives Matter movement. Participants can run, bike or swim. A $10 donation is suggested. Sign up at https://forms.gle/3G7aoJsN9AGvyW747.
■Children’s entertainer Marko the Magician will perform from 10-11 a.m. Saturday during an online program being hosted by the Blake Memorial Library. Email blakemem@tops-tele.com for the Zoom link.
■The Clemmons Family Farm and Vermont Humanities Council are hosting a virtual event titled “Juneteenth in the Air with the Clemmons Family Farm” from 3-4 p.m. Sunday. The interactive program features Professor Bill Hart, aerialist Ella, and Mrs. Lydia Clemmons (Senior). For more information, visit clemmonsfamilyfarm.org or vermonthumanities.org.
Editor’s note: Email Upper Valley-based virtual events to calendar@vnews.com.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com.
