Farmers to Families food box program resumes this week
BRATTLEBORO - The Farmers to Families food box program resumed food distribution in Bennington on July 7, and will begin distribution in Brattleboro, Londonderry, and Springfield on July 8.
The Bennington distributions will take place on Tuesdays in July and August. The Brattleboro, Londonderry, and Springfield distributions will take place on Wednesdays. Additional distribution sites include Wilmington and Ludlow; both will take place on July 15.
Each share will include produce, meat, and dairy products, while supplies last.
This next phase of this program, which is administered by the state of Vermont, the Vermont National Guard, the Abbey Group, and the Vermont Foodbank, will be done by reservation only.
Registration for each site closes by 4 p.m. the day prior, and you are welcome to pick up food for other families who are not able to make it to the pickup site; just be sure to include those shares in your reservation.
Distribution times are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with appointments clustered every 15 minutes. No personally identifying or financial questions will be asked. Reserve a time by visiting humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help.
Extra 3SquaresVT food benefits available in July, August
WATERBURY - The Department for Children and Families recently announced that many 3SquaresVT households will get a higher benefit in July and August.
According to DCF, this extra help is part of the federal Coronavirus Relief Bill. It won't permanently change a household's monthly benefit. It is a temporary increase to help during the health crisis.
Households already getting the maximum 3SquaresVT benefit, or a zero benefit, won't get an increase. Everyone else will get an increase that brings them to the maximum benefit for their household size: one person, $194; two people, $355; three people, $509; four people, $646; five people, $768; each additional person, $146.
3SquaresVT households don't need to do anything to get the increased benefit. If eligible, they'll automatically get it the same way they get their benefits now: on an EBT card, through direct deposit, or by check. Learn more about 3SquaresVT at dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT.
Online meeting features Xusana Davis, director of Vt. Racial Equity Commission
PUTNEY - State Reps. Mike Mrowicki and Nader Hashim will again host an online Zoom meeting for their constituents of the Windham 4 District of Putney, Dummerston, and Westminster on Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m.
The meeting will feature Xusana Davis, director of Vermont's Racial Equity Commission, which was established by lawmakers and the governor last year to help identify and address systemic racism in state government. She will provide an overview of her work and her hopes for the future work of the commission.
Previously, Davis had worked as the director of health and housing strategic initiatives in New York City's Health Department. She also served as the director of the New York City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.
There will be time for questions, which should be emailed prior to the meeting to make better use of the limited time online. For those in the Windham 4 District who are interested in participating, email Mrowicki at mmrowicki@ leg.state.vt.us.
Jamaica hosts third annual town-wide tag sale
JAMAICA - On Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jamaica will hosts its third annual town-wide tag sale on Main Street (Route 30)
Your Jamaica neighbors are hosting individual tag sale tables (socially distanced, of course) outdoors on Main Street. The Jamaica Benefit Society, a local charitable organization, will benefit from a portion of the proceeds. All patrons are asked to wear protective masks.
Items for sale include tools, toys, adult and children's clothes, craft work, household goods, books, indoor and outdoor plants, and baked goods.
Windham County Democrats present online candidate forums
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham County Democratic Committee will hold a pair of online candidate forums.
A forum for the Democratic candidates for the two House seats of the Windham 4 district (Putney, Dummerston, Westminster) will be held Wednesday, July 15, from 7 to 8:15 p.m., on Zoom.
Sign in for the forum at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kfuysqzkjE9OYnQ_SWO9b7fq-u9PRZ3Jy. Candidates confirmed to attend are Michelle Bos-Lun, Matthew Ingram, and incumbent Mike Mrowicki.
A candidate forum for the Democratic candidates for the two House seats of the Windham 3 district (Athens, Brookline, Grafton, Rockingham, North Westminster, Windham) will be Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 8:15 p.m., on Zoom.
Sign in for the forum at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYof-mqrDouHtYDXJpEOZKIT8bVDgM5Bwks. Candidates confirmed to attend are incumbents Carolyn Partridge and Kelley Tully and challenger Leslie Goldman.
Both forums are open to the public and questions can be submitted in advance to Democratic County Chair John Hagen at hagenjohn@mac.com, or they can be asked via Zoom chat. Both forums will also be streamed on Facebook Live on the Windham Dems page (@windhamdemocrats).