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 In July 2006, Hunger Free Vermont and Northfield Savings Bank launched the Community Hunger Assessment, Intervention, & Resources (CHAIR) Project, which coordinates community efforts to build strong nutrition safety nets—one Vermont community at a time. In May 2009, the Northfield Savings Bank Foundation announced a $450,000 grant to continue the project for another three years. (Video coverage of the press conference can be viewed on the CCTV website.)
The Community Hunger Project is a comprehensive approach to addressing hunger that educates community members about the local causes and effects of hunger and provides tools to improve nutrition and reduce hunger in their communities.
In the first three years, the project has produced many tangible results. The Hunger Council members were instrumental in expanding access to 3SquaresVT statewide, in passing state legislation to provide free breakfast to all low-income students in Vermont and in passing the 2009 Child Nutrition Omnibus bill that helped feed children during the summer, in school and in afterschool programs.
In 2010 work began on convening two new councils: The Hunger Council of Lamoille Valley, also funded by the Green Mountain Fund and the Canaday Family Charitable Trust, and the Hunger Council of Windham County, additionally funded by C&S Wholesale Grocers, the Windham Foundation and the Canaday Family Charitable Foundation.
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Tom Pelletier, Northfield Savings Bank President & CEO, and Marissa Parisi, Hunger Free Vermont Executive Director at the grant announcement on May 13, 2009
Tina de la Torres, Northfield Savings Bank Marketing Director, and Dorigen Keeney, Hunger Free Vermont Program Director, holding the 2010 United Way Advocacy Award received by the Hunger Council of Chittenden County
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