Vermont FCU Helped Raise $21,380 for the Vermont Foodbank

Burlington, VT – A total of $21,380 was donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of Seven Days' 8th annual Vermont Restaurant Week. This popular event was presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized by Seven Days. 

“Vermont Restaurant Week is an incredible celebration of food for our community. It raises awareness about the issue of hunger in our state and helps us ensure all of our neighbors have the quality food they need to thrive,” said Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “We are so grateful to Seven Days, Vermont Federal Credit Union, City Market, the Vermont Community Foundation, sponsors, restaurants and customers who came together to make this generous gift possible. Their commitment helps work toward a reality where everyone in our community can celebrate the joy of good food.”

“This is Vermont Federal Credit Union’s eighth year as presenting sponsor for Vermont Restaurant Week,” said VFCU President and CEO Jean Giard. “We are proud to be part of this event, which supports the Vermont Foodbank and features our local restaurants.” 

Many factors contributed to the total donation. Proceeds from the Bottomless Brunch Bash, a curated tasting event featuring local chefs, went to the foodbank. Donations also came from a panel discussion at ArtsRiot; from Aperitivo, a snacky social hour at Maglianero; event raffles; and a portion of sponsorship dollars.  

For the fourth consecutive year, the Vermont Community Foundation provided a matching grant of $5,000 for the foodbank. The foundation was established in 1986 by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals and provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments.  

City Market/Onion River Co-op, one of the festival’s sponsors, made the Vermont Foodbank its 40 percent recipient in the store’s Rally for Change program during the month of April. That program encourages customers to round up their total at the register and donate the difference.  

Lastly, participating restaurants were encouraged to set up individual fundraising pages on classy.com to help raise more money for the foodbank. The Hyde Away Inn & Restaurant in Waitsfield collected more than $2,000 for the cause.  

More than 100 restaurants across the state participated in Vermont Restaurant Week this year. Each location offered special, prix-fixe meals during the event, which ran from April 21 to 30. 

Vermont Federal is a $490 million-plus financial institution, with six locations currently serving over 36,000 members. Members are part of a cooperative, meaning they share ownership in the Credit Union and elect a volunteer board of directors. Vermont Federal Credit Union provides membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Franklin, Washington, or Addison Counties in Vermont. Vermont Federal Credit Union is committed to providing support to the communities it serves and to make a decided difference in the lives of its members and other Vermonters. For more information about Vermont Federal Credit Union, call (888) 252-0202, visit www.vermontfederal.org, or find us on Facebook.