Across the region, towns are banding together to care for their community members. Most have put up webpages featuring resources for food, healthcare, education and more. Many have mobilized phone trees and help lines to check on neighbors without internet access. Food pantries and school districts are working to ensure everyone is fed.
We absolutely need community response efforts. These groups compliment what state and federal agencies are doing to help. Without these local efforts, many of our neighbors would fall through the cracks.
Some towns have taken their response efforts to the next level. Check out these unique town projects that demonstrate just how resilient and innovative our region really is.
Irasburg
The Leach Public Library's "Staying in Common Project." is an Irasburg-specific project aiming to generate neighborliness, inspiration and community. Community members are encouraged to design signs to place along the perimeter of the Common, sharing messages of hope and comfort during social isolation. Email Molly Veysey for more info: director@oldstonehousemuseum.org
Brownington
To capture this moment in history, the Old Stone House is accepting hard copy and electronic submissions of peoples' written experiences during the COVID-19 crisis. OSH will also expand its gardens and team up with Green Mountain Farm to School to distribute produce to families in need. And Kids' Fridays, every Friday of the summer for children under the age of 15, will provide a to-go heritage activity kit plus a free lunch to children who participate. Email Molly Veysey for more info: director@oldstonehousemuseum.org
Orleans
This January, the Orleans Federated Church started a “Blessing Box”. Similar in design to a little free library, this mini food pantry was installed on an exterior wall of the church and provides emergency food access 24/7. During the pandemic, this resource has proven more valuable than anyone could have imagined! Email Alyssa May for more info: <vtrevam@hotmail.com>
Wheelock
The VT Public Service Department reached out to Wheelock's Town Clerk offering installation of a public WiFi hotspot at Wheelock Town Hall, thanks to donations from Microsoft and RTO Wireless. Wheelock's first publicly-accessible WiFi hotspot was operational in a matter of days! Check out Wheelock's Facebook page to learn more.
Barnet
Three St. J Academy alums have spearheaded the Neighbors Helping Neighbors food drive for the Barnet area out of McIndoes Academy. Community volunteers drop off food, provide monetary support, assist with outreach efforts, and are now procuring a refrigerator to store perishable items like milk, eggs, cheese, and meat. Email Claudia Heisholt for more info: <cheisholt@hotmail.com>
Hardwick
The Hardwick Area Neighbor to Neighbor grassroots organization has initiated a whirlwind of activity in just one month. After reaching out for help making masks for free distribution, the organization connected with 26 people seeking to help meet the initial goal of 1500 masks. Over 200 masks have already been received, and the Hardwick Area Food Pantry has started distribution. Email for more info: hardwickneighbors@gmail.com
Greensboro
The Greensboro United Church of Christ has set up a Little Food Shelf at the door of Fellowship Hall which allows anyone who is hungry to take what they need and leave non-perishable items to share. The greater purpose is that no one goes to bed hungry.
Glover
Glover Pioneer Camp has an interactive, online plan to educate and entertain would-be campers and anyone else who wants to participate this summer. They will post a new challenge every week on Facebook page related to early Glover history, the natural world and a “What Is It” question. The answers will appear on their website the following week. Email Bethany Dunbar for more info: <bethany@hardwickagriculture.org>
Brighton
When a five-year-old’s birthday party was canceled, the community created a parade route filled with birthday wishes and smiling faces. The teachers also created a parade to let the students know that they were missed. And an anonymous community member posted handmade “Thank You” signs on each of the essential businesses in town. Email Michael Strait for more info: Mike@hearthandhomecountry.com
Lowell | Jay | Westfield | Troy
The #WeAreLowellJayWestfieldTroyAreaStrong Facebook group has close to 400 people tuning in for news they can use. All four towns have initiated a support warm line (802.327.3434 & info@kingdomcommons.com) and phone tree to answer questions, meet needs, and organize volunteers. The group also intends to reopen the weekly community meal in Westfield.
Albany
In collaboration with the Albany Community Trust and the Albany United Methodist Church congregation, the Albany Community Task Force has bolstered the Church's food share availability and provided a homemade meal to community members. Their first meal served 60 people and they expect to increase that to 100 for their next meal on May 9. Contact albanyneighbors@gmail.com for more info.
Peacham
In Peacham, families can purchase a $30 bulk CSA food order that includes a variety of fresh, local produce, baked goods, dairy and more sourced through Green Mountain Farm Direct. Volunteer organizers take orders, pick up and deliver the food to the school where it is sorted and packaged into sanitized food totes and then picked up by or delivered to participants. The town has worked out a system so that no money exchanges hands during the operation. Bonus: this program offers fresh food and supports local farmers. Visit for more info: https://peacham.org/
Groton
COVID-19 Informational Updates, held bi-monthly via Zoom, feature a different speaker offering outside perspective & expertise. So far, they've hosted the CEOs of Cottage Hospital, Wells River Savings Bank, and the NEK Council on Aging. The sessions are recorded, published on GrotonTogether.com and highlighted in their email newsletter and social media. Email Michael Gaiss for more info mgaiss@gmail.com.
Craftsbury
The Craftsbury Community already had the infrastructure in place to hold a community meal once a month, but they seized the opportunity to expand, offering meals once a week. Participants share community meals from the safety of their own homes. The meal provides 100+ individuals in Craftsbury and Albany a weekly, nutritious meal, made from locally grown and donated ingredients. Kris Coville <mama.kris.coville@gmail.com>
Nice work, NEKers!
Our towns are proving over and over that we are indeed #nekstrong. To join your town's response efforts, sign up for your area's Community Mutual Aid group.
