We are raising funds to purchase grocery gift cards for residents of Barre City who are impacted by a delay of SNAP food assistance, due to the government shutdown. There are currently 1,900 families, including 500 children, in Barre City who receive SNAP food assistance. While the federal benefit is delayed, the State of Vermont is stepping in to provide half of the monthly benefit on or around November 7th; the remainder will come later in the month if the federal government is still shut down. In the meantime, this is a time of great uncertainty for many local households. And we know food is always the first thing to get reduced in the household budget when money is tight, compared to rent, car payments, and fuel.
These grocery cards will help stabilize families and fill the SNAP gap. To donate, click the donate button or go to our Donate page, then click Give Now to make your donation. Choose Food Crisis Relief: Barre City in the dropdown menu of options. Donations are also being accepted for Washington County and the Northeast Kingdom. Thank you for making sure our neighbors have food this month.
Mobilizing communities to action so all can thrive
Green Mountain United Way brings our community together to face our greatest challenges, whether that’s helping families achieve financial stability, empowering young people, or responding to crises. We proudly serve Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties in central and northeastern Vermont. United is the way we create lasting change.
OUR IMPACT
Our mission is to unite around health, youth opportunity, and financial mobility of every person in the five counties we serve in central and northeastern Vermont. Our unique way of doing this is to help working people thrive, build resourceful communities that support all people, and leverage partnerships to achieve these goals. We believe everyone should be able to meet their needs, plans for their future, and feel a sense of purpose.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Working Bridges works with a network of over 30 employers across northern Vermont to address scarcity in the workplace
United Way’s Working Bridges is an innovative program designed to improve job retention, stability and advancement by supporting employees and students with community resources. Using the workplace to connect with employees directly, Working Bridges helps working Vermonters to reach stability and thrive while supporting human resource departments, reducing employee turnover, and increasing productivity.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Tatum’s Totes brings essential supplies and comfort to children entering emergency foster care
Every day, Vermont children enter foster care, often in an emergency situation. These children are given just minutes to collect anything they need, before they are taken from the home they know to a future filled with unknowns. Many times a few items are stuffed into a garbage bag, and that child enters their new life with very little to meet their needs or call their own. Tatum’s Totes was created to help make this transition easier by providing each child entering emergency foster care with a backpack filled with essential and comfort items. We also coordinate a holiday gift drive for children in foster care.
STRONG COMMUNITIES
Our volunteer connection program matches volunteer groups with nonprofits who need their help
We play a match-maker role between the many volunteers who are looking for a project, and the nonprofits who rely on volunteers to deliver their programs. Our network includes over 150 nonprofits around the state, our sister United Ways, and the businesses, schools, and community groups who want to volunteer.
Why It Matters
54%
of Vermont families can’t afford an emergency expense
1,000
children are currently homeless in the state of Vermont
40%
of health outcomes stem from socioeconomic factors, including education, stable housing, and safe communities
43%
of Vermont women who work full time do not make enough to cover basic living expenses
900+
Vermont children are currently placed in foster care. Another 400 are placed with a family member.
Many of our nonprofit partners depend on volunteers to deliver their programs
2nd
Washington county is tied for the second most natural disasters nationwide
The benefits cliff keeps low- and moderate-wage workers in cycles of poverty and destabilizes Vermont’s workforce
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Our community needs us, and the need is great. Fortunately, we all have an incredible amount of power to support the causes and nonprofits that matter to us. United is the way, and there are a few ways you can help.
Here are a few ways you can offer support:
Share a small act of kindness — a smile, a hug, or holding the door all make a difference!
Learn about the causes that matter to you
Get to know the nonprofits in your community
Volunteer. Sign up here!
Make a financial contribution. At Green Mountain United Way, about three-quarters of our program budget comes from donors like you. Donate today!
Let us know how we can help YOU. See a need in our community or have an idea for a solution? We would love to hear from you.
NEWS & REPORTS
Look for the love, it’s everywhere. That’s how we #LiveUnited.
We have a lot of love to share. Sign up for our newsletter to get some.
Hear stories, get the latest news and events, and share in the love from Green Mountain United Way. We will never share your email address, ever.
Need help now?
Vermont 2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral program of the United Ways of Vermont, helping to connect Vermonters with a wide range of community, health, and human resources and services.
To access services, call 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898211, or visit the website at vermont211.org.
You are what your community needs.
Join us and together we will build a solid foundation for our neighbors.
