I want to share a number of resources about food security and access during this difficult time.
Please refrain from overbuying or hoarding large quantities of food. Grocery stores are being restocked regularly and we need to make sure that there is plenty of food to go around, especially those who may have limited opportunities to run food shopping errands.
Some grocery stores, including Burlington’s City Market food cooperative, have instituted a designated morning shopping hour for elders and immuno-compromised or high risk people, so they can effectively practice social distancing. This will happen from 7am – 8 am daily at both City Market locations. Learn more about City Market’s reaction to COVID-19.
The Burlington School District is providing daily grab-and-go meals at a variety of sites for students. You can pick up meals Monday through Friday between 9am and 10 am at the North Avenue Alliance Church and Edmunds school and between 10:30 am and 11:30 am at the Sustainability Academy and Champlain Elementary. There are many additional sites providing meals throughout the week. Read more on the school district’s Coronavirus prep page or call 802-864-8416.
Hunger-Free Vermont has excellent information on multiple ways to access food and nutrition assistance, from 3SquaresVT (aka food stamps) to WIC (for pregnant people and caregivers of young children) to meal delivery for older Vermonters.
Feeding Chittenden, Burlington’s local food bank, remains open to meet food assistance needs at this critical time, with prepared meal pick up from 7 am to 9 am and grocery pick up between 9 am and 4 pm. IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO DONATE TO FEEDING CHITTENDEN, PLEASE DO.
The wonderful Old North End Good Deed Fund has been helping Old North Enders with basic assistance, including gift cards to grocery stores. IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO DONATE TO THE ONE FUND, PLEASE DO.
Last I heard, Food Not Bombs Burlington plans to continue serving food in the Burlington area on Sundays.
Finally, the Peace and Justice Center continues to compile information about mutual aid efforts, including many based in Burlington.
Please reach out to me or Representative Brian Cina or your local legislator if you need any help navigating these resources.
Selene Colburn 