Special fundraising effort celebrates 10th year of partnership
Vermont Business Magazine For every gift to Vermont Public on Giving Tuesday, the Vermont Community Foundation and its generous fundholders will donate the equivalent of 23 meals that Vermont Foodbank can offer to community members facing hunger and food insecurity.
Giving Tuesday is an annual global day of giving that arose in response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This global celebration of philanthropy gives people an opportunity to focus their holiday spirit on organizations doing important work in their communities.
“We are happy to collaborate with the Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont Community Foundation on Giving Tuesday for the tenth consecutive year,” said Vermont Public CEO Vijay Singh. “As a statewide institution deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we are committed to improving the quality of life in our region. Our audience has embraced what has become a Giving Tuesday tradition; helping neighbors in need and supporting the mission of public media at the same time.”
In 2023, UVM released data showing that 2 in 5 people in Vermont reported facing food insecurity in the year prior. The last two years have brought catastrophic flooding around the state, which continued to amplify challenges for our neighbors experiencing hunger.
But flooding was just the most recent in a cascade of crises that Vermont households have been facing. The need for food assistance was also increased by Vermont’s housing crisis and challenging economic conditions, in addition to the end of pandemic-era supports that were helping Vermonters access the nourishing food they need and want.
The Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger relief organization, working with more than 300 partners across the state – including food shelves, meal sites, schools, and hospitals. It has distributed more than 60 million pounds of food since 2020.
“Vermont Foodbank is the state’s only food bank – and we can’t do this work alone. Our partners across the state, neighbors, government at all levels, donors, volunteers – we are all working together to help make sure that people have access to nourishing food this holiday season and all year long,” said John Sayles, CEO of Vermont Foodbank.
"For years Vermont Public, the Vermont Foodbank, and the VCF have come together on Giving Tuesday to support our neighbors facing food insecurity across the state,” said Dan Smith, president & CEO of Vermont Community Foundation. “The longevity of this partnership reflects Vermonters' deep commitment to ensuring no one goes without. By joining forces, we’re able to help meet immediate needs this holiday season while building a stronger, more connected future for everyone in our community."
Learn more and donate at vermontpublic.org through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3.
About Vermont Public
Vermont Public is Vermont’s unified public media organization, serving the community with trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and educational programming. Formerly Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS, Vermont Public also provides local access to national programming from NPR and PBS. Its statewide radio and TV networks reach all of Vermont, as well as parts of New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts and Quebec, Canada. More information about programs, stations, services, and ways to support is available at vermontpublic.org.
About the Vermont Foodbank
The Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, after-school programs, schools and hospitals. Food insecurity has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic and the Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the food they need to thrive. Learn more at www.vtfoodbank.org.
About the Vermont Community Foundation
The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as an enduring source of philanthropic support for Vermont communities. A family of more than 900 funds, foundations, and supporting organizations, the Foundation provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love. The Community Foundation and its partners put more than $60 million annually to work in Vermont communities and beyond.
The heart of the Community Foundation’s work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. Over the next five years, the organization will prioritize grants and investments that ensure Vermont families can keep their loved ones healthy and safe; provide Vermonters lifelong access to educational opportunities; build community resilience; support physical, mental, and emotional health; and advance equity, strengthen belonging, foster creativity, and promote democracy. Visit vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.
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