We’re excited to announce RiseVT has awarded $1,500 Amplify Grant to GBICS. With the funds, we’re buying reusable bags and exercise materials for Kitchen Cupboard distributions.
In an effort to be more green, we did away with single use plastic bags this year. While we’re thrilled to do our part for the environment, plastic bags are more convenient for our guests to carry produce. This RiseVT Amplify Grant has helped us find a solution and reduce barriers to healthy foods. Reusable shopping bags, aka “fruit and veggie carriers”, make it easier for guests to carry all their beautiful produce home. Guests can borrow one starting this summer.
In addition to produce bags, we’re using the funds from our RiseVT Amplify Grant to get hula hoops, beach balls, resistance bands, and badminton sets. Since we opened the Kitchen Cupboard in 2012, we’ve struggled to find an orderly way to manage pre-distribution foot traffic. Moving to our Depot Street location has helped a lot, and now that the weather is getting warmer we can take advantage of our outdoor space. Starting later this year (date to be determined), GBICS will have staff on hand to lead guests in 10 to 20 minutes of exercise if they arrive early to distributions. We’re even planning to get a scoreboard so we can keep track of the highest badminton score and who can hula hoop the longest.
GBICS is proud to partner with RiseVT of Bennington County to help make the healthy choice the easy choice in our community.