“Food Justice [is] the general principle that everyone has a right to local and healthy and safe food that they can actually get to easily and not have a food desert.”
We speak to Jaime Bedard, director of Just Basics, which operates the Montpelier Food Pantry, about how the COVID-19 crisis has affected the work they do.
“The other thing that will help the theater is making sure Downtown is still there … making sure that you buy local as much as possible.”
We speak to Kim Bent, Founding Artistic Director, and Kathleen Keenan, Producing Artistic Director, of Lost Nation Theater about how the COVID-19 crisis has affected this Montpelier, Vermont arts hub.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
“I feel like I’m a part of the life here now. Instead of just living here, I’m actually contributing something to my community. And I feel really, really good about that.”
We speak with Lauren Parker, co-owner of The North Branch Cafe and North Branch Tech, about how these two small businesses in Montpelier, Vermont have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
“I realized today that I have this skill of making due with what I’ve got … I’m going to be using that skill … Just pull out all the stops … How can I be creative? How can I get attention? How can I make something out of nothing?”
We speak with Kate Whelley McCabe, of Vermont Evaporator, about how the COVID-19 crisis has affected her small business in Montpelier, Vermont.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
“What I’ve been learning is that you can still get to know people and in some ways it’s been fun to get to know people in this space and make those new connections … It’s been a fun adventure.”
Emily shares how her experiences with online dating have changed during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I’m highly motivated to do so, but I want to do it safely.”
Todd Wheeler, of The Barber Todd, speaks to us about the shutdown of his Montpelier, Vermont barbershop because of the COVID-19 crisis and his plans for eventually re-opening.
“Empower yourself through understanding and knowledge.”
We speak with Amy LePage of Emerge Yoga. She specializes in therapeutic movement and has been working a lot with families who are expecting to give birth during the COVID-19 crisis.
You can find helpful videos from Amy on her Instagram page – @lepageamy.
“We have an incredibly special downtown … It’s really a bustling center of life and activity and it makes Montpelier what it is.”
We speak with Dan Groberg, executive director of Montpelier Alive about how this organization that supports local downtown businesses in Montpelier, Vermont has been doing during the COVID-19 crisis.
HOW CAN YOU HELP (from Montpelier Alive’s website)
Please contact our federal representatives and your local legislator and demand real support to save our downtown. Congress must act immediately to stabilize our small and mid-sized employers in impacted industries by providing direct payroll and healthcare subsidies so that we can maintain our workforces and have a hope of recovering from this pandemic.
Senator Bernie Sanders:
(202) 224-5141
Contact: www.sanders.senate.gov/contact/
Twitter: @SenSanders
Senator Patrick Leahy:
(202) 224-4242
Contact: www.leahy.senate.gov/contact/
Twitter: @SenatorLeahy
Congressman Peter Welch:
(202) 225-4115
Contact: https://welch.house.gov/contact
Twitter: @PeterWelch
“I think being creative and making things, even if it’s not masks, is something that is healing for a lot people right now.”
We talk with Mary Margaret Groberg, owner of Notion Fabric & Craft, about how the COVID-19 crisis has affected her small business in Montpelier, Vermont.
Notion Fabric & Craft currently supplies materials for making face masks, including face mask kits.
You can still purchase fabric and crafting supplies online in addition to gift cards.
Participate in Notion’s weekly Thursday craft nights!
Are you a small business owner or do you run a nonprofit? We want to talk to you. Contact us so we can talk about your story.
We speak with Rick DeAngelis, executive director of Good Samaritan Haven, about how the COVID-19 crisis has affected this nonprofit.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Are you a small business owner or do you run a nonprofit? We want to talk to you. Contact us so we can talk about your story.
We speak with Jenny Sebold, owner of Rebel Heart. She tells us how her small business in Montpelier, Vermont has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Ways you can support Rebel Heart:
Are you a small business owner or do you run a nonprofit? We want to talk to you. Contact us so we can talk about your story.
We spoke with Gretchen Elias, executive director of Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, about how this nonprofit has had to adjust the way it serves its community during the COVID-19 crisis.
WHAT IS GOOD BEGINNINGS?
Good Beginnings is a grassroots organization whose mission it is to bring community to babies. Its core programming brings trained volunteers into homes with new babies for the fourth trimester. Other programs include parent/child support groups and parent education.
HOW HAS THEIR WORK CHANGED SINCE COVID-19?
Good Beginnings has a dedicated page for COVID-19 Resources. Resources included are for:
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Spread the word about Good Beginnings. Social distancing can sometimes feel like social isolation, especially when you are home with a new baby. Good Beginnings has resources for ALL FAMILIES.
Are you a small business owner or do you run a nonprofit? We want to talk to you. Contact us so we can talk about your story.
