Everyone Eats! paused for lack of funding
SPRINGFIELD - The Everyone Eats! program that has provided free restaurant to-go meals to Vermonters in Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, and other towns since August was put on hold Dec. 31.
Everyone Eats! engaged more than 170 Vermont farms and food producers, played a key role in keeping more than 150 restaurants in business, and provided more than 500,000 meals to members of communities in all 14 Vermont counties.
The program was funded this year through the federal CARES Act via a grant from Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development to Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), and partnerships with 14 community hubs around Vermont.
According to a news release, program partners say they would like to continue and are working to identify new sources of funding for 2021.
“This program was born through a collaboration of lawmakers, state agencies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizers,” said Jean Hamilton, Everyone Eats! statewide coordinator. “Our partnerships continue to be strong, and we are optimistic about relaunching Everyone Eats! with a new funding source ASAP.”
Vermont Foodbank revives Farmers to Families food box program
BARRE - Thanks to generous community support, the Vermont Foodbank will extend the Farmers to Families Food Box program into January and February, independent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In partnership with the Abbey Group, a food service firm serving schools and institutions, food boxes will continue to be available at multiple daily food distributions throughout the state through February.
To keep wait times to a minimum, reservations will be required for the distributions.
To register and see the dates and locations, visit humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help or call 802-476-0316 for assistance. Distributions are scheduled for Jan. 11 in Brattleboro and Jan. 14 in Bennington.
Each reservation will receive one box with approximately 30 pounds of food, including fresh produce, dairy products, and meat.
“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 make a separate reservation for each household you would like to pick up for,” program organizers write.
BUHS Merry Mulch program returns for 30th year
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Union High School Music Department is again offering the Merry Mulch Christmas tree collection service to residents.
This program, in its 30th year, takes place on three Saturdays, Jan. 9, 16, and 23. It is endorsed by the Vermont Department of Agriculture as well as the New Hampshire Vermont Christmas Tree Association.
Members of the band and chorus will transport undecorated trees from homes to a community garden in West Brattleboro, where they will be chipped into mulch to be used by the gardeners. Since the town does not offer curbside pick-up of trees, the service saves residents the hassle of personally disposing of them.
A $10 donation is suggested.
All pick-ups must be pre-arranged by calling 802-829-0890, 802 254-6757, or 802-254-7602 at least two days prior to your desired date.
Proceeds will benefit future music department travel.
Dummerston Cares creates COVID Relief Fund
DUMMERSTON - Dummerston Cares recently created a relief fund to help ease the burden of those in the community affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents whose financial situation has been negatively affected by the pandemic may request $200 per household from the fund. Requests can be made monthly.
Funds will be available only as long as donations continue to replenish the fund.
To request the funds, email info@dummerstoncares.org, write to Dummerston Cares, P.O. Box 302, West Dummerston, VT 05357, or leave a message at 802-257-5800. A board member will call about the request.
Those requesting funds should explain how their financial situation has been affected by the pandemic, and to be sure they include their name, address, and phone number in their communication.
Find out more at dummerstoncares.org.
VeggieVanGo offers free produce, local food in Brattleboro, Townshend
VeggieVanGo is a program through the Vermont Foodbank that gives people free produce and local food to take home.
In Brattleboro, distribution occurs in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Rd.) from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Distribution has been scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22, and Mondays to follow: Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 1, March 15, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7, and June 21. For more information, call 802-254-3730.
Distribution in Townshend, hosted by Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital, will now take place on the second Wednesday of the month, at the same time, noon to 1 p.m., and the same location, the lower parking lot of Leland & Gray Middle High School.
VeggieVanGo will appear in Townshend on Jan. 13, Feb. 10, and March 10. For more information, call 802-365-9109.
The program's goal is to help people obtain fresh fruits and vegetables to sustain a healthy lifestyle. All are welcome, and no income requirements, registration, or paperwork is required to participate. You may ask someone to pick up on your family's behalf.
Both locations will use a drive-through distribution, and participants are asked to stay in their vehicles. If you are walking, see a Vermont Foodbank associate first, but make sure to stay 6 feet back.