Pack the Paramount Food Drive

Pack the Paramount Food Drive slated for March 26, 27

As local food shelves feel the pinch more and more every day, organizers of the Pack the Paramount Food Drive are working to counter record demand by setting an ambitious 20,000-item goal.

“There is never a shortage of need when it comes to food,” said Elizabeth Eddy of BROC Community Action, one of three local food shelves that will benefit. “In the last three months of 2009, BROC provided food to 2,137 individuals. In our fiscal year of 2009, 9,172 food assists were carried out, with each assist including enough food items to feed a household for several days.  As a result of this need, we are asking anyone who is in the position to help to do what they can.”

This year’s food drive will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 26, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 27.  Donors can bring non-perishable food items to the Paramount Theatre on Center Street in Rutland. The objective is to fill every seat with a box or bag of food, demonstrating the hundreds of families who need assistance in the Rutland area.  The food will go to BROC, the Rutland Community Cupboard and the Salvation Army.  The Community Cupboard distributed 210,000 items last year.

Central Vermont Public Service, Catamount Radio, the Paramount Theatre and Omya are teaming up to organize the event, which will be broadcast live by WJJR from start to finish.  “We urge anyone who can help to do so,” WJJR personality Terry Jaye said.

“With unemployment high and many people under-employed, we want to collect as much as possible,” CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. “Local food shelves have recently provided food to people who were at one time consistent donors themselves. That in itself shows just how important it is to give back to the community when you can.”

Event planners have added a new twist to this year’s food drive and are hoping that the many student groups, classes, clubs and teams from the Rutland area will use their teamwork to gather up food items for donation. A friendly student-group competition has been created, and CVPS has pledged to donate $500 to the school group that donates the most items.

Pack the Paramount has collected tons of food since it began six years ago, and coordinators are hopeful that this year’s food drive will reach the 20,000-item goal.  Pack the Paramount has collected tons of food since it began six years ago, and coordinators are hopeful that this year’s food drive will reach the 20,000-item goal.

Omya, which joined the original partners last year, is back for a second time. “Omya has a deep commitment to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Pierre Masuy, the company’s plant manager.  “We are pleased to be a part of this food drive.”

All types of non-perishable food are appreciated, but certain items are in great demand. Peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, hearty soups, macaroni and cheese, cereal, coffee and tea, instant potatoes, rice and bottled juice are most popular.

Other items, including baby food, toilet tissue, paper towels, hygiene products and large-size items for families are not as frequently donated, but greatly needed. Cash donations, which will be used to purchase food for the participating food shelves, will also be accepted.

“In this economy, Pack the Paramount is more important than ever,” Paramount Executive Director Bruce Bouchard said.  “The need is truly significant.”