For every Local First Vermont Coupon App sold in January, LFVT will donate $2 to the Fuel Your Neighbors Program
Vermont Business Magazine After the holiday season, packed with gifts and giving, some of us settle back into our routines with that post vacation glow, while others of us are reminded of the harsh, cold months ahead. Winter isn’t easy in Vermont, with temperatures frequently dropping below 0 and fuel costs rising, many Vermonters make difficult choices when budgeting their family’s basic needs. No one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family, that’s why Capstone Community Action offers food and emergency heating assistance to Vermonters in need with the Fuel Your Neighbor’s Campaign. Capstone Community Action was founded in 1965 and works to alleviate the suffering caused by poverty and to create economic opportunity for people and communities.
“Winter is a challenging time for thousands of Vermonters who may be forced to choose between basic necessities like food and heat,” states Sue Minter, executive director at Capstone Community Action. “We will help over 5,000 individuals and families with emergency food and heating assistance this year. We are asking those who can to take action and support our Fuel Your Neighbors campaign to prevent our fellow community members from going to bed cold or hungry this winter.” Vermonters in need can call Capstone’s emergency heating assistance hotline for help at any time day or night. Their staff is committed to ensure that no Vermonter goes cold or hungry; Capstone operates the 3rd largest food shelf in the state.
Local First Vermont (LFVT), a Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) program that advocates the importance of supporting locally owned businesses, knows how crucial programs like Fuel Your Neighbors are in our Vermont communities. Financial struggles are often quiet struggles; the families of small business owners will also be faced with making tough choices during the winter. That’s why LFVT will donate $2 to the Fuel Your Neighbors campaign for each Buy Local Coupon App activated with the code ‘FUEL19’ during the month of January. That $2 donation will immediately be doubled thanks to some generous matching donors.
“Fuel Your Neighbors not only keeps our most vulnerable Vermonters warm and well fed, but reminds us of the collective power we have as communities when we work together toward a common goal,” said Simeon Chapin, Director of Social and Community Development at VSECU. “It’s exciting to have Local First joining this powerful effort by empowering a network of local-loving Vermonters to support both our downtown businesses and our neighbors in need.” This year will mark the 3rd for the Fuel Your Neighbors program, last year $91,000 was raised for the program, surpassing the first year’s $67,000, and this year’s fundraising goal is $100,000. The Fuel Your Neighbor campaign, which is powered by VSECU, runs through March and includes partners such as The Alchemist, National Life Group, Hickock & Boardman Insurance, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, The Point, Front Porch Forum, and Cork Wine Bar & Market.
“We have the power to empower our neighbors and strengthen our communities by supporting programs like Fuel Your Neighbors” said Local First Vermont Program Manager Melissa Kosmaczewski. “Here at Local First we’re excited to help Capstone meet this year’s fundraising goal by donating a portion of each mobile app sold in January. All Vermonters deserve to be warm and well fed every Winter.”
VBSR is a statewide, non-profit business association with a mission to advance a business ethic that values people and planet as much as profit. Through economic development, education, public influence, and networking, VBSR strives to help 700+ members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of the state's residents, while remaining profitable.
Source: VBSR 1.8.2019 www.vbsr.org.