VT211 is Here to Help

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING OR IN CRISIS, HELP IS AVAILABLE.

CALL OR TEXT 988 OR CHAT 988LIFELINE.ORG. THE 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE IS 24/7 FROM ANYWHERE.

If you have a hard time stretching your budget to cover all of your groceries, here are some free resources available during the summer. 

This is especially important for children, whose participation in school meals ends when summer vacation begins. For many families, those meals make a difference in helping to make sure their kids have enough healthy food to eat.

Kids ages birth – 18 can get free meals during the summer 

at the many summer meal sites throughout the state. No need to register, no ID needed, and no cost. To find out where they are being offered in your area, visit Hunger Free Vermont after school is out for more information.

Get up to $20 worth of extra spending at a farmers market 

when you spend the same amount in 3SquaresVT (SNAP). Crop Cash matches $10 from your EBT card with another $10 of spending on vegetables, fruits, and plant starts, starting July 1. Crop Cash can be used multiple times a week at different farmers markets. This program is offered by NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont). Find more information here.

The Farm to Family program 

provides $30 worth of coupons ($48 for people aged 60 and older) to income-eligible households for use at farm stands and farmers markets. Check out your local Community action agency and call them before July 1 to see where they will give out coupons. For more information, go here. Vermonters can get help buying locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at over 60 participating Farmers Markets. About one in four Vermonters qualifies for Farm to Family coupons.

FIND YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION HERE. 

And, don’t forget – Summer EBT is available.

If you’re already enrolled in 3SquaresVT, it will come to you automatically. Families receive $120 for each eligible child. If you’re not signed up for 3SquaresVT, you may be eligible to apply if you meet the guidelines. Visit here for more information.