Date: October 6, 2009

Hunger Is Increasing in Washington County

Written by Dorigen Keeney, Director of Public Policy and Research
at the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger

It may come as a surprise to many Vermonters that their neighbors are going without food or depending on inexpensive, poor quality food for weeks at a time. Too many in our community don’t have enough money to buy more nutritious food – and the situation is getting worse. The Washington County Hunger Council recently heard many stories of this kind when they met on September 10th in Montpelier. The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in partnership with Northfield Savings Bank has convened this council of about 35 concerned citizens which includes directors of local and state organizations, clergy, food service directors, managers of food pantries, and representatives of the Vermont congressional delegation. For three years the council has discussed strategies and taken action to combat hunger in Washington. 

Hal Cohen, Director of Central Vermont Community Action, explained that their food pantry has experienced a doubling of the number of families who are seeking food assistance. Ralph Howe, Pastor of the Hedding Methodist Church in Barre, reported that they have seen a similar increase in people coming to their pantry and meal programs. Ralph noted, “People who used to donate food, now need help themselves.” These new people requesting help are families that have lost jobs or had their hours reduced; they are seniors, working families with young children and increasingly, homeless families and individuals.  According to the U.S. Census, 1 in 10 Vermonters struggle to feed themselves and their children – and this data was collected before the recent economic downturn.  

The Council also heard about important programs in central Vermont that feed children, like school breakfast and lunch. Betty Hammond, Food Service Director for Montpelier Schools, reported that many families make a little too much to qualify for free school meals but don’t have the funds to pay for the reduced-price or the full-pay meals. She also reported that her program struggles to provide quality meals because of low federal reimbursements.  Bob McNamara, retired Superintendent, reported on the dramatic turn around in the school meal program at Harwood Union High School. Three years ago, the meal program was significantly in debt and few students participated because the quality of the food was so poor. The School Board hired a chef, made more food from scratch and greatly improved the quality of the meals. Consequently student participation increased, overall reducing the program debt.  

When households are struggling to get enough food, meal programs and food resources like summer food, child care meals, school meals and 3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps) are critically important. The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger shared information on the availability of these programs in the County. While all public schools in the County offer meals, only ¼ of the child care centers provide meals to children, and only about 1 in 5 low income children have access to meals during the summer. There is also a new supper program available to feed all children in afterschool programs in low income areas in Vermont. Because of greatly expanded eligibility and the recession, 3SquaresVT is providing food benefits to 1 in 9 residents in Washington County.  

The Hunger Council of Washington County will meet four times during the coming year to examine hunger in the county and to strategize ways to improve food access.  For information on the Council and food programs in the County, contact Dorigen Keeney, Director of Public Policy and Research at the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger at 802-865-0255 or .

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The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to develop sustainable hunger solutions. Since 1993 the Campaign’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods.

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