Pictured from L to R: Colby Roberts, Seven Days; Corey Grenier, Seven Days; Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank; Janet McLaughlin, Vermont Community Foundation.
The Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont Community Foundation presented Seven Days with the Outstanding Corporation Award, an annual honor awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Northern New England (AFP-NNE), for their creation of Vermont Restaurant Week.
“Our nomination of Seven Days comes from our recognition and appreciation of their skill in bringing people together, engaging partners, and forging new relationships while having fun raising money for and awareness of a serious problem in our state,” said Judy Stermer, Director of Communications and Public Affairs. “Seven Days’ efforts have helped make Vermont Foodbank a household name—one that their readers know and care about.”
Vermont Restaurant Week is an annual event where participating restaurants offer special, prix-fixe menus. The week also includes special events. Ten percent of proceeds from sponsorships and 100% of special event admissions benefit the Foodbank. This past year, Seven Days leveraged partnerships with Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Federal Credit Union, and City Market to raise more than $20,000 for the Vermont Foodbank.
“We are honored to accept this award on behalf of Seven Days and the Vermont Restaurant Week Team,” said Colby Roberts. “When we envisioned Vermont Restaurant Week, we knew that some of our neighbors might not be able to participate. In partnering with the Vermont Foodbank, we are doing something about it.”
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Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic, economic disruptions, and recent flooding. The Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the food they need to maintain their health. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided over 12 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation.
