DONT WAIT FOR YOUR FUEL TANK OR FOOD CUPBOARD TO BE EMPTY BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP!!
We are urging everyone who is looking for information about Bennington County food and fuel resources to call the Vermont 211 Helpline. Just dial 2-1-1. Vermont 211 is open for business 24 hours everyday. Its skilled staff can help find information not only about fuel and food resources but also about a wide range of resources throughout Bennington County and across the state.
FUEL ASSISTANCE
(1) the State Fuel Line: 1-800-479-6151;
(2) BROC: 1-802-447-7515 or 1-800-717-2762; or
(3) the Senior Help Line: 1-800-642-5119.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
If you know people who are looking for food shelf locations and assistance, encourage them to call:
(1) the Economic Services office: 1-802-442-8541 or 1-800-775-0527;
(2) BROC: 1-802-447-7515 or 1-800-717-2762;
(3) the Senior Help Line: 1-800-642-5119; or
(4) the Vermont Food Bank: 1-800-585-2265.
If you need a complete list of food shelves around the state, call the Vermont Food Bank at 1-800-585-2265 or log onto www.vtfoodbank.org.
- Arlington Food Shelf across from the East Arlington Fire House parking lot, Old Mill Road. Open on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Or as needed. Call 375-6328. Primarily serves residents of Arlington, Sunderland, and Sandgate.
- Sacred Heart St. Francis DeSales HIS Pantry Parish Center, West Main Street, Bennington. Open on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Call 442-3141. Primarily serves Bennington area residents.
- Bible Baptist Church Food Basket Harwood Hill, Bennington. Open after church services on Sundays around 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and on Wednesdays around 7:00 p.m. Call 447-3618. Primarily serves Bennington area residents.
- BROC Food Shelf Orchard Road, Bennington. Open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Call 447-7515. Serves Bennington County residents.
- Manchester Community Food Cupboard - Manchester Town Offices. Open Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Call 362-0057. Primarily serves residents of towns in the northern part of Bennington County.
- North Bennington Baptist Church Food Shelf Church Street. Open by appointment. Call 442-2711. Primarily serves North Bennington, Shaftsbury, and Bennington residents.
- St John the Baptist Food Shelf Houghton Street, North Bennington. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Call 447-7504. Primarily serves North Bennington, Shaftsbury, and Bennington residents.
- Pownal Food Pantry Pownal Methodist Church. Open on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Call 823-7763. Primarily serves Pownal residents.
- The Carpenters Shop Shaftsbury Methodist Church. Open by appointment. Call 442-3844. Primarily serves Shaftsbury residents.
- Harvest House Soup Kitchen corner of River Street and Benmont Avenue, Bennington. Breakfast is served: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Lunch is served: Monday through Friday from 11:15 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Call 447-4739. All are welcome.
The very knowledgeable staff at the organizations listed above can help answer questions and/or may be able to help people get the resources they need. They also know about other resources in the community that can help with basic human needs.
WEBSITES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD, FUEL AND OTHER RESOURCES
www.helpforvt.org for information about statewide resources
www.vermont211.org for information about statewide resources
www.vermontfoodhelp.com for Food Stamp information
www.dcf.state.vt.us for information about Food Stamps, Fuel Assistance, Weatherization
www.vtfoodbank.org for information about food shelves in Bennington County and across the state
www.cvps.com for information about the Shareheat program
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
1) Donate food to one of the food shelves listed above or organize a food collection day at your workplace for one of the food shelves. Please note that staff at all of the food shelves listed above told me that demand is growing and food supplies can be tight at times.
2) Send a check to any of the organizations listed below to help people with fuel or food needs:
- BROC, 25 Orchard Road, Bennington, VT 05201 and earmark it for fuel or food.
- Greater Bennington Interfaith Emergency Food & Fuel Fund, 107 Adams Street, Bennington, VT 05201.
- Northshire Interfaith Council, P.O. Box 588, Manchester, VT 05254.
- Or contribute to an organization of your choice.
3) Encourage those in need to call the phone numbers listed above if they are looking for help with fuel or food. Tell them not to wait until they are hungry or their fuel tank is empty.
4) Attend any of the events that various groups are holding to raise funds for local organizations that help provide fuel, food, or housing resources.
5) Conserve. Conserve. Conserve. Encourage others to do the same.
Rising food and fuel costs are creating challenges for most of us this year. Lets make sure that none of our neighbors goes hungry or freezes this winter.