VPR, Vermont Foodbank And Vermont Community Foundation Join Forces For Giving Tuesday

Barre, Vt.—December 3 is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that arose in response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This celebration of philanthropy gives people an opportunity to focus their holiday spirit on organizations doing important work in their communities.

For the fifth year, Vermont Public Radio and the Vermont Foodbank are teaming up to give listeners an opportunity to support two important causes with one gift. For every gift to VPR on Giving Tuesday, the Vermont Community Foundation will provide the equivalent of 18 meals so that the Vermont Foodbank can help Vermonters facing hunger and food insecurity.

“The Vermont Foodbank is proud to partner with VPR and the Vermont Community Foundation, two incredible organizations that make our community strong,” said Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “Together, with the help of VPR supporters around the state this Giving Tuesday, we can ensure that when Vermonters facing hunger turn to us, we can meet them with the wholesome food they need to thrive.”

Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger relief organization, serving Vermont through a network of more than 200 food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. This year the Vermont Foodbank has provided nearly 10 million meals to 153,100 Vermonters.

“We are happy to once again collaborate with the Vermont Foodbank on Giving Tuesday,” says Brendan Kinney, VPR’s senior vice president for development and marketing. “VPR covers the issues of hunger and food insecurity through our news programming, of course, but as a statewide institution deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we also feel a responsibility to do what we can to improve the quality of life in our region. Our audience has embraced what has become a December tradition; helping neighbors in need and supporting the mission of public radio all at once.”

The heart of the Vermont Community Foundation’s work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. “We are excited about this Giving Tuesday partnership that highlights both the circumstance of poverty in Vermont and one way that our holiday season giving can make a difference,” remarked Dan Smith, Vermont Community Foundation president and CEO. “When we pull together to feed our neighbors, we are one step closer to closing the gap so that all Vermonters have what they need to build bright futures.”

Learn more and donate at VPR.org or by calling 800-639-6391 through midnight on Tuesday, December 3.