From UWNWVT:
Thanks to generous individual donors and businesses, United Way of Northwest Vermont has raised over $75,000 for flood relief and we will begin granting out funds this week to organizations who are able to assist our fellow Vermonters most impacted by the disaster.
We are grateful to the many generous community members and corporate partners like Viatris, UVM Athletics, The EDGE and the Lake Monsters for making this funding possible!
Here are the grants we’ll be making thanks to your support:
- $10,000 to Vermont 211 to support operations and essential resource coordination. Vermont 211 has been inundated with calls, texts, and emails since flooding began and their staff has been working overtime to respond to a wide variety of critical needs. Vermont 211 plays a crucial role connecting Vermonters to resources all year long and especially during times of crisis.
- $45,000 to those communities hardest hit in Lamoille, Rutland, and Washington Counties to increase the capacity of local United Ways and partner organizations directly serving those areas. Funds will support resource coordination, outreach, and connection to rural and underserved communities.
- $10,000 to support food security: The biggest impact we’ve seen from flooding in Northwest Vermont has been devastation of some local farms and food systems. There is particular concern for food insecurity impacts on aging, diverse, low-income communities due to the effects on the summer harvest. Funds will support the efforts of three organizations who serve these communities:
- HANDS Diverse Pantry: About 100 of AALV’s New Farms for New Americans family garden sites were destroyed. The flooding means that they won’t be able to grow their own fresh, culturally-familiar vegetables. HANDS’ Diverse Pantry seasonal grocery program started just a few days after the massive floods. HANDS is working to get healthy food to the older adults who have lost so much.
- Healthy Roots Collaborative (HRC): A regional food systems program supporting the growers, producers, and consumers in Franklin and Grand Isle County.
- The Intervale Center: Supporting a diverse group of farms and small businesses the Intervale also plays a critical role in combating food insecurity through programs like Fair Share, a weekly CSA-style selection of free produce and gleaming programs that were impacted.
We know the disaster exacerbated existing issues like mental health crises and the loss of already limited housing availability. United Ways remain committed to working on these and other structural issues that existed before the flood.
Thanks to supporters like you, United Way is here when disaster strikes. More importantly, we are here all year round mobilizing the community to do the work no single organization can do alone.
With your support, we are closing gaps and making change possible so everyone in our community has the support they need to thrive.
About the Campaign
United Way of Northwest Vermont is raising flood disaster relief funds to support organizations in our region and working alongside other Vermont United Ways.