The Addison County community is again showing its generosity and solidarity in times of crisis. Contributors have matched (two days early) a $50,000 challenge recently issues by four anonymous donors, money that will support critical services to an increasing number of people during the coronavirus pandemic. The effort was coordinated through an online fundraising called “Addison County Responds,” championed by the United Way of Addison County. And the news gets better; the four anonymous donors were so delighted that they extended the dollar-for-dollar match to April 6 and have offered an additional $20,000 in matching funds. Because of the incredible response, UWAC was recently able to make its first round of emergency mini-grants to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, John Graham Housing & Services, Charter House Coalition, and Pathways, VT. More will be announced later this week. For more information about the fund drive, log in to unitedwayaddisoncounty.org.
Tri-Valley Transit, operating locally as Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR), is providing free grocery delivery to area elderly, disabled or those unable to self-transport. ACTR can pick up customers’ pre-paid grocery orders from many of the area’s community grocers who are offering curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include Buxton’s General Store in Orwell, Greg’s Meat Market in Middlebury, Pratt’s General Store in Bridport and Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op in Middlebury. ACTR is offering free rides to Addison County residents to access supermarkets with designated shopping hours for the elderly and those living with disabilities. For designated shopping hours, please visit your supermarket’s website or call them directly. The free bus services is also open to Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects clients if they have no other way to get to the Community Services Building on Boardman Street in Middlebury to pick up pre-arranged food orders. One day notice for all transportation services is requested, but the organization will try to accommodate requests made with shorter notice. Call 388-2287, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Although Middlebury College’s Ralph Myhre Golf Course isn’t quite ready for play yet, it appears to have come through the winter in great shape and could be ready for use soon, in some capacity. Course managers continue to monitor developments from the COVID-19 pandemic and will relay more information on the course’s status during the coming days. In order to ensure social distancing, the clubhouse, golf shop and Tavern on the Tee will remain closed for preseason until further notice. The golf show is offering course memberships.
The annual Eddy Farm School Easter Egg has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Linda Schmidt, president of the organization’s board of directors.
The University of Vermont is running a research study to survey Vermonters about food access during the coronavirus pandemic. The goal is to get as many people as possible to take the survey, which will inform policy responses and provide a better understanding of food security during this time. Participants must be over the age of 18, and will be eligible for a drawing for one of 25 gift cards to a grocery store. To participate visit coronavirusfoodsurvey.com. Additional questions about this survey can be directed to the Principal Investigator of this study, Meredith Niles, University of Vermont: [email protected]