WESTMINSTER — Vermont Emergency Eats (VEE) continues to distribute meals to flood-impacted Vermonters through September and October in areas of the state where the need continues.
Since early August, VEE has been engaging local restaurants in providing prepared meals. Thanks to an extension authorized by the state, the program, which was originally set for 30 days, will continue for up to 90 days.
Based on the COVID-era VEE program, this new short-term emergency program is the result of a joint effort between the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA).
The reawakening of the VEE program allows the state to "distribute local, restaurant-prepared emergency meals to Vermonters whose access to food has been impacted by flooding in their communities, while also providing recovery support to those local restaurants," Gary Holloway, ACCD's Downtown Program Manager, said in a news release.
Kathleen Devlin, SEVCA's interim executive director, notes this joint action by the two organizations "reflects the values of cross-sector collaboration, support for our local restaurants and farmers, and local solutions to local needs."
VEE is administered by SEVCA through a statewide network of hubs, including Capstone Community Action, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Chester Helping Hands, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, The Giving Fridge, Springfield Family Center, and Vermont Farmers Food Center.
Meals are available in Windham and Windsor counties. Call 211 or visit vtemergencyeats.org for more information.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.