After a pause for the new year, the Everyone Eats program in Rutland County will resume on Monday, January 25th.

A table of distribution sites for immediate publication is below. Everyone Eats aims to coordinate the distribution of 3,600 meals per week moving forward. The Vermont Farmers Food Center seeks the community’s assistance in publicizing these distributions so that meals reach families who need them most. More information can be found by following our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram) and on our website. 

**Deatils still being finalized. Check social media and Vermontfamersfoodcenter.org to confirm. 

An initial allocation from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will fund three weeks of programming. Partners across the state including the Scott Administration and Legislature are working together to identify additional funding opportunities. Partners agree on the goal of funding the program through the state of emergency.

During the first five months of the program’s operation, from September to December, the program distributed over 53,000 meals in Rutland County, injecting over $530,000 into our local economy.  Distribution of these meals was made possible by countless community partners who staffed distribution sites and delivered meals directly to families in need, often on a volunteer basis. 

Feedback about the program has been exceptionally positive as families who are struggling say the meals provided are a great benefit to them. Some feedback provided anonymously by meal recipients: 

“I don’t have enough food to last all week. The meals are a great help! Thank you!”

“I deliver meals to the elderly who are struggling to make ends meet. Thank you to all who make this program possible.”

“Help. Food. We need the help. Thank you so much for the food, it is a big help for all of us. Thank you. “ 

“Getting less than 10hrs a week at work. That is why I am here :(“

“Fantastic meals and workers and greeters appreciated. Thank you.”

“Due to pandemic, haven’t had a paycheck since march. Because self-employees, fall into ‘black hole’ for state benefits.”

“Helps with feeding my family and parents”

The program works with over 15 restaurants throughout Rutland county to provide meals. The Vermont Farmers Food Center and Everyone Eats seeks to establish connections between restaurants and local food producers and will be working to do so throughout the next phase of the program. 

****

Everyone Eats aims to support families in need of food, independent restaurants and caterers and local farmers. Participating meal providers are required to source local ingredients and provide nutritious, balanced meals.  The Everyone Eats program is administered at the state level by Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), which coordinates hubs in each of Vermont’s 14 counties. The Vermont Farmers Food Center coordinates the Everyone Eats program in Rutland County. 

For more information about Vermont Everyone Eats at the state level, visit www.vteveryoneeats.org.  

Please review the draft budget below for the upcoming fiscal year.  The Selectboard will discuss the budget on Monday, January 11, 2021 at its regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting at 5:30 p.m.  In addition, a special Selectboard meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to finalize the budget.  These will be the final chances to make changes or offer any input into this particular budget.  Due to COVID-19, the Town will be voting all articles via Australian Ballot this year.  Once the budget has been finalized and warned, no further changes can be made.  Let us hear from you if you have any questions, concerns, or other input into the meeting.  You can always reach us by e-mail if you’d like.  Sara Tully, Town Administrator can be reached at mendonadmin@comcast.net and Nancy Gondella, Town Clerk/Treasurer can be reached at mendontown@comcast.net.  Either of us would be happy to send your e-mail along to the Selectboard for consideration. 

Further information regarding how to access the meetings will be posted prior to the meetings at https://www.mendonvt.org/selectboard-agendas-minutes/minutesagendas/.