New Food Program Feeds Brattleboro and Area Towns

[BRATTLEBORO, VT, July 2020—] Our community will be eating 2,400 restaurant meals each week in August, for free. Everyone Eats! is a new program using federal funds to purchase meals from independently-owned restaurants in Brattleboro, all of which are struggling because of the coronavirus physical distancing rules. The restaurants, who are experts in the field of feeding people, will be assured revenue and a role in our community. All people who need to eat will be fed. This is how Brattleboro does it!

Joining other efforts taking place throughout the state, Everyone Eats! will help bolster a growing movement focused on saving our nation’s restaurants and giving direct support to families. Building on the success of DBA’s Nourishing Artists program and Skinny Pancake’s ShiftMeals , the program will leverage federal CARES Act funds and contract local restaurants to make to-go meals for anyone whose food security has been challenged by the COVID-19 crisis due to unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, and other financial challenges.

By utilizing available restaurant capacity, 600 meals will be distributed through local organizations and to individuals Monday – Thursday at the Church Building Parking Lot on Flat Street in downtown Brattleboro. ‘Everyone Eats!’ high-quality meals are for anyone impacted by the pandemic—whether you have recently become unemployed, are food-insecure, are a parent without summer childcare, or simply need a break once in a while—while also energizing our local economy. Distribution will take place Monday through Thursday, with 150 meals per day provided by four restaurants each day. Sixteen restaurants in total will participate in the pilot program.

“The health of our community can be measured by many data points, but the one that makes my heart sing is how much support we offer by standing together,” said Stephanie Bonin. “Our path during this pandemic will shine light on our collective values and skills at the systems level. Sometimes doing things just a little bit differently gets you a much different outcome.”

Any household or individual can pick-up meals at either location Monday-Thursday 4-6.

Please see https://www.brattleboro.com/EveryoneEats for more information on food choices.

Restaurants involved: Dosa Kitchen, Yalla, duo Restaurant, A Vermont Table, The Porch, Masala House, Hazel & The Works.