VHFA just finished its latest food drive to benefit the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.

Staff and the VHFA Board of Commissioners contributed 250 pounds of food, as well as $25 in cash donations.

This doesn't include donations collected from attendees of last week's Statewide Housing Conference (pictured), which likely rivaled or exceeded the amount collected at VHFA's offices.

The IRS calculates a pound of food to be worth $1.49, which means we all likely raised close to $800 for the food shelf.

VHFA honored Andy Gurley, recently-retired from UBS, for his decades of work with the Agency.

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter spoke about Andy's long history with the Agency at the 2008 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, held last Tuesday.

A resident of Irvington, N.Y., Andy was instrumental in VHFA's creation in 1974, and has been a wise and loyal partner ever since, through his affiliation with an impressive list of financial institutions such as First Boston Corp., Morgan Stanley, Drexel Burnam Lambert, Paine Weber and UBS.

Robert McBride (center, right) and Richard Ewald (center, left) received the 2008 Vermont Community Leadership Award from the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD).

USDA/Rural Development State Director and VCRD Board of Directors Chairwoman Jolina LaClair (right) and VCRD Director Tony Elliott (left) presented the two the award at the 2008 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference held last Tuesday.

Melinda Bussino (right), Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center, has received the Housing Hero award.

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter presented Melinda with the award at the 2008 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference held last Tuesday.

She received the award for her years of commitment and leadership providing comfort and shelter to homeless Vermonters, and her tireless advocacy on their behalf.