For the parish community of Our Lady of the Lake, serving the faith communities of South Hero, Isle LaMotte, Alburgh and Grand Isle, “love your neighbor” is a commandment joyfully fulfilled in the long-standing practice of food distribution.

With the parish serving as the point-organization, food provided by Hannaford Supermarket in Swanton and the Healthy Roots Gleaning Program in Grand Isle, some 150-200 people are served monthly through three Alburgh distribution centers: St. Amadeus Church, Island in the Sun Senior Center and Pine Manor Senior Center.

This broad program is handled by a small team of dedicated parish volunteers, including husband and wife Ron Straight and Judith Tremblay, who pick up food twice a week from Hannaford, explained Laura Limoge, parish secretary, expressing gratitude, also, for assistance from “the ladies of St. Amadeus Clothes Closet,” which is in the same location as the food distribution site.

In addition, through the efforts of both the southern and northern churches, parish Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives distribute some 200 full-dinner food boxes during the holiday seasons.

Our Lady of the Lake Parish includes St. Rose of Lima Church, South Hero; St. Joseph Church, Isle LaMotte; St. Amadeus Church, Alburgh; and St. Joseph Church, Grand Isle.

—Originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.