As we step into a new year, I find myself looking back on 2025 with a full heart and deep gratitude.
The Middlebury community has always been extraordinary in the way it supports this pantry. That is not new. But this past year felt different. There was a deeper connection, a stronger sense of togetherness, and a spirit of generosity that felt truly blessed. It went beyond meeting needs. It felt like neighbors truly seeing one another.
One of the most visible moments of that generosity came during our “Trapped in the Tower” fundraiser at Northridge High School. The goal was to raise $50,000 for a much-needed box truck so we could continue picking up and distributing food efficiently. Thanks to this community, we didn’t just reach that goal, we surpassed it by $20,000. That alone would have made 2025 unforgettable.
Then, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, something remarkable happened again. We launched a 30-day, $30,000 matching grant campaign. The match was fully met in just 14 days. Because of that, we began the new year with $60,000 dedicated to feeding our neighbors.
But what made these moments so meaningful wasn’t the dollar amounts. It was the people. More people than ever felt moved to step forward, to give, and to care for others in tangible ways. That collective response is what stayed with me.
Many are surprised to learn that we do not receive government funding. The Middlebury Food Pantry is entirely supported by local people, local businesses, and local churches. We have one full-time staff member, me, one part-time staff member, and the rest of the work is done by volunteers. This pantry exists because you show up for your neighbors.
The individuals and families who come through our doors are, in many cases, working people or those who are physically unable to work. The rising cost of housing and groceries has made life harder for so many. This year, we served more people than ever before, including many who never imagined they would need a food pantry. That reality is sobering, but it is also where the beauty of this community shines.
For many, walking through our doors for the first time is frightening and humbling. There is fear. There is embarrassment. But they leave knowing something far more important than where their next meal will come from. They leave knowing they are loved, valued, and supported by their community.
We don’t do handouts. We do hand-ups. And we try, in every interaction, to wrap our arms around people in ways that go far beyond food.
Through it all, God has been so good. Food has been in abundance. Volunteers have been faithful. Support has been steady and generous. In a time when many are anxious about the future, Middlebury has shown what it looks like to trust, to care, and to act.
To every volunteer, donor, business, church, and neighbor who played a part in 2025—thank you. You made all of this possible. You are the reason hope walks through our doors every single day.
With overwhelming gratitude,
Pam Bingaman
Executive Director, Middlebury Food Pantry
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