What is Everyone Eats?

Everyone Eats! is a program that leverages state funds to buy and distribute to-go meals from local restaurants. Anyone who has been negatively impacted by COVID is welcome to receive a meal; there are no advance sign-ups or other requirements.

From August -December 2020, our Brattleboro hub distributed 80,387 meals. We did this by partnering with 20 organizations and working with 85 volunteers. There are three pillars of this program: feeding our community, saving our restaurants and supporting our local farmers and food producers.

Community: When we last surveyed participants, 50% of our eaters were community members who were accessing food assistance for the first time. The majority were accessing Everyone Eats 2-3 times a week.

Restaurants: are reporting anywhere between 12%-80% of their sales as coming from Everyone Eats. That is an average for our partner restaurants of 37% of their sales from Everyone Eats. These are restaurants that are down an average of 40% for the year.

Farmers & Food Producers: $41,818.54 was spent on local ingredients purchased by participating Brattleboro-area restaurants in 2020.

A new benefit of Everyone Eats! has also been identified: supporting our mental health. Everyone Eats! has become a way of being together in community during COVID by being together safely at the distribution sites, connecting with food by eating, volunteering to help distribute meals, picking up meals for neighbors, or preparing meals for the eaters. Our site has also become a community town square: a spot where the census was able to be filled out, information handed out, or quick conversations had while waiting in line.

More Info

When

Monday – Thursday 4:00pm to 6:00pm or when meals run out (no early-birds, please!)

Where

Individuals/households are invited to pick up meals in the parking lot of the C.F. Church Building at 80 Flat Street on a first-come-first-served basis. Please wear a mask! (If you don’t have a mask, ask us for one.)

Who

Anyone in Brattleboro, Guilford, Vernon, Dummerston, Putney, Marlboro, Townsend & Newfane who has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

What restaurants are providing meals?

Brattleboro Restaurants

MONDAY:

Delightfully Delicious, India Masala House, Superfresh, The Works

TUESDAY:

Dosa Kitchen, Elliot Street Fish Chips & More, Hazel, MamaSezz, Thai Hut

WEDNESDAY:

A Vermont Table, Andrzej’s Polish Kitchen, Fast Eddie’s, Shin La

THURSDAY:

duo, Echo, Poke Bowl, Whetstone, Yalla

Putney Restaurants

Putney Co-op, The Gleanery

West River Valley Restaurants

Four Columns, Townshend Dam Diner

FAQs For Individuals

When and where can I receive meals?

Meal distribution for individuals is first-come-first-served. There are no signups or requirements. Pickup is from 4-6pm on weekdays Monday through Thursday in downtown Brattleboro in the CF Church Building parking lot at 80 Flat Street.

Is it free?

Yes. All who would benefit from a meal are welcome to participate.

Can I give something back to help the program?

There is no obligation to pay it back or forward. But there are ways you can help!

You can donate paper or plastic bags to be used during distribution. We have a big bin to collect your bags. We will store them away for at least 4 days and then use them in our circulation.

If you would like to make a monetary contribution to help support the program, it will be gratefully received. The base cost of each meal is $10; any amount will be helpful. Touch-free options for donation include Venmo (@DBA100), Paypal, or mailing a check (DBA, P.O. Box 961, Brattleboro, VT 05301).

What will I receive?

You will receive one individually packaged, cold, ready-to-eat or heat & serve dinner for each person you request a meal for.

Do you have vegetarian, vegan, or GF options?

Yes. Let us know your needs at the time of pickup.

Is there a limit to how many meals I can get?

You can request one meal per person per day for each person in your household. Meals will be first-come-first-served.

Can I pick up meals for another household?

Yes, you can pick up meals for up to three households including your own.

Will my meals be hot or cold?

Meals will be distributed cold, so if you are driving a distance, delivering to other households, or distributing through your organization, consider bringing a cooler if you can.

FAQs For Organizations

As a representative of an organization, can I request meals on behalf of my clients?

Yes. We invite organizations to do bulk pickups for distribution to those they serve. Contact Frances Huntley at frances@brattleboro.com for more information.

Is there a limit to how many meals I can pick up?

No, but you will need to reserve meals in advance each week using an order form. To request access to the form email frances@brattleboro.com.

What will I receive?

You will receive individually packaged, cold, ready-to-eat or heat & serve dinners for each person you plan to distribute a meal to.

What options are available?

You will choose in advance how many of each type of meal (meat, vegetarian, vegan and GF) and which days you will pick up meals for distribution.

Will I need to pick up our meals, or will you deliver to my location?

You will need to pick up your requested meals and distribute them to your clients. We cannot deliver them to you.

When and where do I pick up my meals?

Pickup for organizations is from 4-6pm on weekdays Monday through Thursday at 80 Flat Street.

Will I receive a confirmation?

After your meal request form is received, you will receive an automated email via Google Forms.

When do you need my form by?

Meal request forms must be submitted by the Monday before 10AM the week they are for. You will need to submit a new form each week. If you have already received meals in a prior week, you will receive an email reminder for later weeks.

How can I help?

Donate money:

Paypal: Everyone Eats
Venmo: @DBA100
Check: DBA, P.O. Box 961, Brattleboro, VT 05301 (check to “DBA” / note “For Everyone Eats”)

Share your feedback:
frances@brattleboro.com

Pick up a meal:
Monday-Thursday 4-6pm

Tell a friend:
brattleboro.com/everyoneeats

Volunteer:
Contact frances@brattleboro.com

Donate plastic and paper bags:
We have a big bin to collect your bags. We will store them away for at least 4 days and then use them in our circulation.

Who is the team behind Everyone Eats?

Thank you to our powerful Brattleboro hub coalition: Food Connects, Vermont Foodbank, Food Works, Putney Food Shelf, Putney Mutual Aid, VT Agency of Human Services, VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA).

Vermont Everyone Eats is funded by the state of Vermont and made possible through a grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development to Southeastern Vermont Community Action.