HANDS in the Kitchen Finds New Home

BURLINGTON, VT -- After 21 years, HANDS (Helping and Nurturing Diverse Seniors) will wind down operations. Founded in 2004 by Megan Humphrey, HANDS started as a way to provide a healthy meal and friendship on Christmas day for seniors who would have spent the holiday alone. Over the years, HANDS evolved, and since 2011 it has been a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission of providing food and resources for people aged 50+ who struggle with food insecurity in Chittenden County, Vermont.

With the retirement of the Founder/Executive Director and lack of capacity and resources, the HANDS board and advisors moved to wind down operations and to identify local partners with the capacity to grow and continue the work of two key HANDS programs: HANDS in the Kitchen and the HANDS Diverse Pantry.

The oldest program is HANDS in the Kitchen, and has been a workshop series that was initially focused on helping residents get the most nutrition out of their CSA share, and has evolved to include such topics as “Fighting Inflammation With Food” and “Superfoods for Seniors”, taught by Chef Robin Burnett. The pandemic moved the classes to video format, creating an archive for continued learning. HANDS has found the perfect partner for this program in Cathedral Square. “Our first HANDS in the Kitchen class was held at Thayer House, a Cathedral Square property, so in a way this feels like a coming home of sorts. For HANDS to see a beloved program find a home like this one where it can grow and evolve, be resourced, and serve so many more older Vermonters than ever before is a dream,” says HANDS President, Beth Sachs. Classes will be available to residents at the 28 properties of Cathedral Square who will enjoy the same workshop format and Chef Robin Burnett will continue teaching, with classes already begun this month. HANDS will be providing Cathedral Square a seed grant to ensure the sustainability of the program. "There's something beautifully full circle about HANDS in the Kitchen returning to where it first began at Thayer House," shared Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald. "At Cathedral Square, we've always believed that thriving in your home means more than just four walls—it's about connection, health, and support where you need it. We're thrilled to expand this program across our communities and continue HANDS' legacy of helping older adults live their healthiest, most vibrant lives."

The pandemic added two new programs to HANDS: Season’s Eatings and the HANDS Diverse Pantry. The HANDS Diverse Pantry was a program started by HANDS founder Megan Humphrey in 2022 to help fill food security gaps for community members aged 50+ within Chittenden County. The focus of the program was facilitating procurement and distribution of culturally preferred food to older adults in Vermont’s immigrant and BIPOC communities. HANDS forged relationships with New American farmers growing the crops of interest and had a coordinator who was fluent in 7 languages and very connected to both the farms and the seniors throughout the community who managed distribution to 70+ seniors weekly. Recognizing lack of staff capacity to manage the program at the end of 2022, HANDS worked closely with Feeding Champlain Valley to help streamline the process of receiving produce from the farmers and distributing produce to seniors, as they had staff capacity, resources and systems. “The COVID pandemic forced all of us to immediately shift gears and develop innovative programming to get healthy food delivered to isolated older adults. We live in a remarkable community that pulled together to provide groceries, funding, and volunteers,” said retired Executive Director Megan Humphrey.

Starting in 2026, Feeding Champlain Valley will be the new home of the HANDS Diverse Pantry, facilitated by a seed grant from HANDS to ensure the longevity and reach of the program. “Feeding Champlain Valley has been an incredible partner helping us to develop the program the past 3 years. The Diverse Pantry will now have more capacity and reach in Feeding Champlain Valley’s capable hands and staff,” said Interim Executive Director, Mara Welton. Rob Meehan, Director of Feeding Champlain Valley says, “Feeding Champlain Valley is committed to providing food for all. The diverse pantry program aligns with our mission to provide culturally relevant foods through online ordering and delivery and we are honored to continue the effort sparked by HANDS and our friend Megan Humphrey.”

After the Holiday dinner shifted to home delivery during the COVID pandemic and was discontinued post COVID, HANDS found a new way to spread the holiday cheer. Season’s Eatings saw volunteers writing cheery holiday greeting cards that included grocery cards to help fill food gaps for hundreds of older Vermonters during the holidays. This effort extended to 11 food shelves throughout Chittenden County, which distributed holiday cards and grocery cards to their senior customers. “This creative community effort brought nourishment and joy to folks all over the county and we are so grateful for the awesome volunteers and partners who made it possible,” said Season’s Eatings Volunteer Coordinator Jess Hyman.

Food Shelf partners will receive mini grants from HANDS this year to help their continuing efforts supplying food to seniors. “The gift cards that our Senior Citizens have received from HANDS are met with tears, sighs of relief, and joy. It is very difficult for seniors on fixed incomes to meet all of their financial needs, and have any money left for discretionary spending. HANDS has given that gift to our Seniors for several years. They will be sorely missed,” said Ginger Morton, President of the Williston Food Shelf.

In Vermont, food insecurity among residents aged 50+ is on the rise, and recent figures estimate 12% of older Vermonters are food insecure. “HANDS is a small non-profit that did an incredible amount of good with a visionary founder, a very small team, knowledgeable partners, countless volunteers, and so many community donations. While the need has not lessened, it is a great comfort to know that our two most impactful programs will continue to grow with trusted partners,” said Interim Executive Director, Mara Welton.

You can learn more about HANDS in the Kitchen at Cathedral Square here.