BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – For the past 50 years, marked in 2024, the Feeding Champlain Valley Hub- formerly Feeding Chittenden- has been fighting hunger and food insecurity in the Burlington area.
“We’ve seen over 8,300 people in the past year,” Anna McMahon, Feeding Champlain Valley associate director, said.
The name change came in June of 2024, but that was just one of the big changes to the food service nonprofit. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) combined multiple programs, including Feeding Chittenden, and combined them into one- Feeding Champlain Valley. The CVOEO oversees the program.
Due to the expansion of services, more people are getting food on their plates and in their bellies.
“We have four food shelves now, including our Burlington food shelf,” McMahon said. “We’re also overseeing northwest family foods in St. Albans and the Addison food shelf and food hub in Middlebury, as well as the Richmond food shelf.”
“We’ve made some great success there,” Jason Rouse, CVOEO philanthropy and communications director, said. “We’ve been able to reach more people through bringing all the food shelves under one program.”
But the plan isn’t to stop there.
“We’re hoping to open up another location in Franklin and grand isle counties [within] the next year or so,” said Rouse.
Both McMahon and Rouse told WCAX they plan to continue and potentially expand their partnerships with local farms so those coming to Feeding Champlain Valley food shelves and hubs are able to get fresh, nutritious produce. McMahon also added that they hope to distribute more culturally relevant foods, adding variety- especially for those that may be new to the country.
Beyond the food on the shelves, they’re working to expand their meals on wheels and bringing food to the people.
“In more rural areas, it’s just harder to get to a food shelf. So, that’s the direction we’re moving in, really trying to innovate with our online ordering,” McMahon explained.
All in an effort to ensure no one goes hungry.
“We’ve had some great success this year,” Rouse said.
In June, Feeding Champlain valley kicked off a fundraising campaign with a goal of $7.5 million. Staff hope to raise the remaining $1.8 million dollars by September.