Hannaford Supermarkets is donating $90,000 to the City of Burlington to support warming centers and shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness. Pictured above (left to right): Melissa Roberge, Hannaford Director of Operations; Kyle Gray, South Burlington Hannaford Store Manager; Miro Weinberger, Mayor of Burlington; John Michaelides, North Avenue Hannaford Store Manager; Marcella Gange, Community Development Manager for the City of Burlington; Sarah Russell, Special Assistant to End Homelessness for the City of Burlington; and Mike Gonyaw, Dorset Street Hannaford Store Manager.
Donation part of $175,000 contribution to aid individuals experiencing homelessness in Maine, Vermont and New York
Vermont Business Magazine Hannaford Supermarkets recently donated $90,000 to the City of Burlington, Vermont, which will use the funding for a winter warming shelter. The shelter, which opened in December, houses more than 20 permanent program beds, all of which are occupied, in addition to more than 10 walk-in beds every night.
“Hannaford is pleased to contribute $90,000 to the City of Burlington’s warming shelter, which provides a safe, warm space and access to essential resources and support to individuals facing homelessness,” said Sherri Stevens, Community Relations Manager for Hannaford Supermarkets. “We recognize the profound challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, particularly during the harsh winter months, and we hope this contribution ensures individuals and families in Burlington have a safe haven during difficult times.”
Since its opening in December 2023, the Burlington shelter has served more than 100 unique individuals. The city of Burlington is using the funding from Hannaford to hire an assistant manager for the shelter and to purchase food and supplies for community outreach, as well as medical supplies for substance use-related injuries.
“Burlington’s Winter Warming Shelter is a critical community resource that improves our Downtown and prevents exposure deaths during the cold winter months,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “As we struggle to meet the needs of the unprecedented number of people living without shelter in Vermont, the support and partnership of our community partners, including Hannaford Supermarket and Community Health Centers, working with our amazing City staff in the Fire Department and CEDO has made the shelter a great success. We have served over 100 Vermonters at the shelter this winter, and are providing vulnerable neighbors with a safe warm place to sleep, health care, access to treatment, meals, and other basic needs. I am grateful for the generosity from Hannaford Supermarkets that allowed us to expand these vital services in Burlington.”
The $90,000 contribution to the City of Burlington is part of a $175,000 donation from Hannaford to support warming centers and shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness in New England and New York. This funding is empowering four organizations across Maine, New York and Vermont to expand programs, sustain operations and provide essential resources and food to individuals and families in need.
According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 110,000 individuals experienced homelessness in 2023 across Maine, Vermont and New York, highlighting the need for solutions addressing homelessness in these areas.
For more information about Hannaford’s charitable giving, please visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets operates 187 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All are committed to offering great fresh food, convenient experiences and everyday low prices. Hannaford also is an active and committed community partner—focusing on fighting hunger, supporting youth development, and helping people live healthier lives. Hannaford is an industry leader in sustainability with a strong commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Hannaford diverts or donates all food at risk of going to waste—sending no food to landfills. In 2022, Hannaford donated 25 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations and prevented 65 million pounds of food waste from reaching landfills. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates and is based in Scarborough, Maine. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.
Source: 2.7.2024. BURLINGTON, Vermont – Hannaford Supermarkets
