Hunger Free Vermont

COVID-19’s impact on Vermont’s mental and behavioral health support system has been a double-edged sword. As more Vermonters experience social isolation due to disruption in their normal activities, more are also experiencing severe mental health crises and suicide ideation. At the same time, Vermont’s health system is not robust enough around mental health to handle this new influx, creating a real-back up of patients—particularly young people—in emergency departments waiting to be seen.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, a reliable connection to the internet was essential for many of us. Flash forward to now, a reliable connection to the internet means access to healthcare, education, employment, customers, grocery delivery—essential for basic needs and income. Still, in Vermont, about 70,000 households and businesses either do not have internet connection or inconsistent, dated dial-up access.

On March 23rd, the Community Foundation hosted an afternoon of sharing and discussion about the impact of the VT COVID-19 Response Fund, how giving can help Vermont recover and rebuild in the year ahead, and what lessons philanthropy needs to carry forward.