BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — On Thursday, August 20, the seats inside Brattleboro’s historic Latchis Theatre won’t be filled with moviegoers—they’ll be filled with groceries.
Peter “Fish” Case of the Brattleboro Reformer is once again inviting the community to take part in Load the Latchis, an annual food drive benefiting Foodworks, Groundworks Collaborative’s free-choice grocery store. The goal is both simple and inspiring: fill all 750 seats in the theater with bags of groceries or the equivalent in financial donations to help ensure every neighbor has access to healthy, nutritious food.
If every seat is filled, the community has the potential to provide more than $20,000 in food and financial support for Foodworks.
“Every bag placed in a seat represents more than food,” said Susan Lienau, Advancement Director for Groundworks Collaborative. “It represents a neighbor who won’t have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries. It represents a child with healthy meals at home and a family that knows their community cares. Load the Latchis reminds us what is possible when Brattleboro comes together around a shared purpose.”
Community members can participate in two ways.
They can purchase a $25 virtual grocery bag at loadthelatchis.com, allowing Foodworks to stretch every dollar by purchasing food in bulk through the Vermont Foodbank at significantly reduced prices. Or they can shop locally and deliver bags of groceries to volunteers outside the Latchis Theatre on the Flat Street side during the event.
Either way, every donation helps stock the shelves at Foodworks.
“Foodworks is more than a place to access food—it’s a place where people are welcomed with dignity, choice, and respect,” said Sarah Habeck, Foodworks Program Coordinator. “Every week, we meet neighbors who are working hard but simply can’t keep up with the rising cost of housing and groceries. Last year, we served 4,767 individuals across 2,027 households, including 1,206 children, and we continue to welcome approximately 60 new households every month. Those numbers tell a story of growing need, but they also reflect our commitment to ensuring that no one has to face hunger alone.”
“At the same time, Foodworks is helping strengthen our local food system by rescuing and redistributing more than $540,000 worth of quality food each year through partnerships with the Vermont Foodbank, local farms, grocery stores, convenience stores, and community organizations. Food that might otherwise go to waste instead nourishes thousands of our neighbors across southeastern Vermont. That’s what Foodworks is all about—connecting people with healthy food while building a stronger, more resilient community.”
Foodworks operates five days each week and also provides grocery delivery for neighbors who cannot visit the store because of age, disability, illness, or transportation barriers. Whether someone needs temporary assistance during a difficult season or ongoing support while rebuilding stability, every shopper is welcomed with compassion and respect.
“Events like Load the Latchis demonstrate the very best of our community,” said Lienau. “Groundworks is proud to be part of a network of businesses, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and community members working together to build a healthier, stronger Brattleboro. When we invest in ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food, we’re investing in the well-being of our entire community.”
Groundworks invites individuals, families, civic groups, and local businesses to help fill every seat in the Latchis Theatre. Together, those 750 seats can become a powerful symbol of a community that believes no one should face hunger alone.
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