March 2022 Newsletter

Celebrating 50 Years of Meals on Wheels!

This March marks the 50th anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program, which was created through an expansion to the Older Americans Act in 1972. 

Fifty years later, we're prouder than ever of the work done at our nutrition program sites, whose teams have innovated and continued to pivot their services throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of their communities and continued access to healthy meals.

Meal recipients echo this appreciation! One writes, “The drivers I see are wonderful, helpful and good listeners.  I feel very cared for.  Thanks to the Council on Aging.”

Help CVCOA celebrate this 50-year milestone by making a gift during our 2022 March for Meals Campaign. Donate $50 in honor of the program's 50 years or choose an amount that works for you!

Donate to the 2022 March for Meals Campaign

 

Support CVCOA through Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program

Have you heard the news? CVCOA has been selected as the beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program!

Each time the $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the 456 South Barre Rd. Hannaford in Barre during the month of March we will receive a $1 donation.

Don't forget to "accidentally" leave your shopping bags at home this month!

 

Welcome to GetSetUp: Free Technology Training

Imagine a free online library of live video classes covering just about any topic you can imagine, from managing diabetes to exercise and fitness classes to learning to use an Apple watch.

Welcome to GetSetUp. Vermont residents 60+ now have free access to GetSetUp's live interactive classes taught by older adults for older adults to make digital learning, connection, and exploration a reality. The platform offers support via phone in all classes to assist learners with technology and includes a booking system complete with regular reminders and after-class notes.

Learners can choose from a catalog of over 3,000 classes that shift weekly and are available around the clock for the next year. Classes promote digital literacy, socialization, health and wellness, and new learning experiences. Plus, classes are available in multiple languages.

To learn more about GetSetUp and enroll in your classes, visit https://www.getsetup.io/partner/vermont.

If you need assistance with enrolling in GetSetUp classes, please call the CVCOA Helpline at 1-802-477-1364. 

 

Quintown Area Need Survey

The Rochester High School Repurposing Committee is conducting a survey to assess the needs for an Adult Day Center in the Quintown area, which would be located in the former Rochester High School. Please contribute to this survey by March 15: https://forms.gle/PEpPajFatDVCip2X6.

 

We Want Your Ideas! CVCOA Launches Community Grant Opportunity

CVCOA is excited to announce a new community grant opportunity.

The Strengthening Community Support of Older Vermonters grant will provide limited financial support to communities and partners who are addressing the physical, social, and emotional needs of older adults in central Vermont.

This financial support will help develop and strengthen the support services that older adults need to continue living independently and to thrive in the communities they know and love.

Learn more and apply today: https://www.cvcoa.org/strengthening-community-support-of-older-vermonters-grant-02-07-22.html. 

 

Food for Older Adults: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Did you know the Vermont Food Bank offers a free monthly box of groceries to adults aged 60 or older who meet income guidelines? Shop for the food you like, and let the VT Food Bank take care of the rest! 

Apply or learn more at: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp

 

Memorable Times Online

Signs of Spring!

Birds and buds, seedlings and mud! What signals the arrival of spring for you? Spring cleaning? Spring training? New life on the farm?! 

Come enjoy sharing of stories, memories, music and community at the next Memorable Times Online -- Wednesday, April 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Zoom.  

Contact Barb Asen at [email protected] or 802-476-2681 for the Zoom link or more information.

Memorable Times Online is the virtual memory café partnership between Central Vermont Council on Aging and the ABLE Library of the Vermont Department of Libraries. It meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Zoom.  This dementia-friendly program is free and part of the memory café movement growing all around the world.  Registration is required.  Get in touch with CVCOA to find out more!  

To learn more about Memorable Times Online and Memory Cafés, check out the video below, where Barb Asen is interviewed on WCAX's Across the Fence.

 

 

Find CVCOA on the Dementia Map!

We're excited to share that you can now find CVCOA on the Dementia map.

Dementia Map© Global Resource Directory is where dementia caregivers (families and professionals) turn for valuable resources. The website offers a directory of resources, events, a glossary and blog to support caregivers. 

 https://www.dementiamap.com/directory/#!directory/map/ord=rnd

 

Featured Nutrition Program: City Hotel Cafe

Change continues for City Hotel Cafe in Barre! Bob Woodard, site director, reports: "We hired Aimee Powers as a full-time cook, who has a varied food service background, including working for a nonprofit. She brings enthusiasm and a fresh point of view to our organization."

The demand for home-delivered meals has increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and that doesn't seem to be slowing or changing.

Woodard also says, "We are looking to reopen our in-person dining. We are shooting for a 1st of May opening. We plan on offering a few selections each day for lunch Monday-Friday."

Amid the positive updates, which include a new floor in the dining room, challenges remain. Woodard told us, "We see an increased cost for food, and it's difficult to obtain certain items. From brown bags to meal containers you have to look everywhere and plan three to four weeks in advance. With the added cost is the need to find additional funding to cover those costs."

You can alleviate the burdens faced by our nutrition program sites. Donate to the 2022 March for Meals today! 

 

Free Training! Volunteer to Lead Evidence-Based Wellness Classes

Train to lead Arthritis Foundation Exercise classes! This evidence-based program offers stretching, flexibility, strengthening, balance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. 

Those interested can be certified on March 29 through a training session with Karen Budde, Wellness Coordinator at NE Kingdom Council on Aging, and self-study. CVCOA pays certification fees, provides liability insurance, assists with logisitics and provides equipment and supplies to volunteers who agree to lead 8 weeks of twice-weekly classes.

Training will take place Tuesday, March 29, from 12:30 to 4:30 PM at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St in Montpelier.

If you are interested or want to learn more, please contact Anne Greshin at [email protected] or 802-241-4840. 

 

Triple Your Crop Cash Benefits this Winter

The Cash Crop benefit from USDA and NOFA-VT has been increased for the season. Now, for every $1 of 3SquaresVT/SNAP benefits, shoppers will receive an additional $2 in Crop Cash to spend at Winter Farmer's Markets. The benefit maxes out at $20 per day.

Farmer's Markets continue this winter in  Montpelier and Northfield. More information at: https://nofavt.org/find-organic-local-food/farmers-markets

 

Volunteer Driver Opportunities

CVCOA recruits and coordinates Meals on Wheels drivers and nutrition program volunteer needs throughout Central Vermont.

We need drivers in several locations. If you are interested in getting involved or want to learn more, please contact Anne Greshin, RSVP Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 802-241-4840. 

Direct Service volunteer opportunities are also available including companionship, transportation, grocery shopping, friendly calling, organizing, and more! Learn more and apply online at www.cvcoa.org/volunteering.html 

 

Assistance for Vermont Homeowners

Have COVID-related issues made it difficult for you to pay housing bills? The Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program has allocated funds to help people avoid foreclosure or displacement. Funds can be used for overdue mortgage payments, homeowners association fees, property taxes, and/or utilities.

Apply and learn more by visiting: https://vermonthap.vhfa.org/.

 

Keep Yourself Safe by Keeping Your Home Safe

Are there home repairs you'd like to act on?  The USDA offers a rural development grant AND loan program for income-eligible, single-family home owners.  If you are 62 or older, you may qualify for the grant portion of this program!  For more information, call 802-828-6006 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/vt.

Medicare and You Workshops

Are you new to Medicare and looking for some help?

Join us Tuesday, March 22nd from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM on Zoom for a Medicare & You Workshop. 

CVCOA offers this workshop regularly to help individuals who are new to the Medicare system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CVCOA is offering Medicare & You sessions remotely using Zoom.

If you want to participate, pre-register by calling 802-479-0531 or by sending an email with your name, address, phone number, and the date of the workshop you would like to register for, to: [email protected].

We will then email you information on how to join in the workshop session on Zoom. 

 

Get Involved, Get Active: AmeriCorps Seniors

Make giving back your second act! AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers bring their unique skillsets and experiences to help people and communities thrive. AmeriCorps Seniors programs are open specifically to Americans age 55 and older. Help an older adult live independently when you join Senior Companions. Serve as a friend and companion by providing assistance and friendship to seniors who have difficulty with daily living tasks. The program aims to keep older adults independent longer, and provide respite to family caregivers.

To learn more about joining AmeriCorps Senior as a Senior Companion, contact: Sarah Semler, Director of Volunteer Services, at 802-476-0151 or [email protected].

 

Central Vermont Council on Aging does not charge Central Vermonters for the services we provide. 

Change the lives of older adults in your community. 

Make a gift to CVCOA today!

 

Make an Impact: Join Our Team!

CVCOA has wonderful openings for people looking to contribute to our mission. Visit /employment to learn more!