Vermont Public Radio reports that "a new report released today from the Vermont Housing Finance Agency says the number of families in the state without a home has risen." Indeed, "in 2000, 429 families lived in the state's 22 shelters." But last year, 516 families were in the shelters. John Fairbanks, who researched the report, believes that winter weather and high fuel costs could force even more families into homelessness. "Other experts say they hope the state and federal government will help poor Vermonters survive the winter by putting more money into a heating assistance program."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Meals on Wheel program, which has been feeding the city's older citizens two-meals a day since 1972, delivered its two millionth meal. Senator Patrick Leahy was there to help deliver the meal in Burlington on Monday. Notably, the Meals on Wheels program coordinates hundreds of volunteers around the state who check in on older people to provide nourishment, and a little bit of company.

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The Times Argus reports that this fall, "Vermont will become the fourth state in the nation to add funding that will allow low-income students to have free breakfasts." Indeed earlier this year, lawmakers added a provision to the state's education budget to pay for each family's share of the reduced-price breakfast program – about 30 cents per meal. This 30 cents is supplemented by the federal government's $1.05 per meal share. During the 2006-2007, "about 21,250 students in Vermont qualified for free meals." This year, that number grew to 21,954, and starting next year, "the state expects to offer 613,338 [free] breakfasts annually."

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WCAX News reports that "the number of Vermonters signing up for food stamp benefits is at a 15-year high." According to State Representative Robert Dostis, the slowing economy and rising fuel and food costs have "forced more people to ask for help." In March, 56,000 people received food stamps.

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The Times Argus reports that "efforts are under way in Vermont to build suitable shelter for homeless veterans, but officials warned lawmakers Thursday that current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan may spill a new generation of war-traumatized soldiers onto the streets." U.S. Congressman Peter Welch noted that "Vermont – in spite of its anti-war reputation – is home to a disproportionate number of former soldiers." Indeed according to the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, Vermont has "the highest per-capita rate of participation in its National Guard" and more than 50,000 veterans live in Vermont. Of these individuals, an estimated 130 are homeless.

Local Efforts to Help Homeless Vets
Jack McDermott, head of the Vermont Veterans Advisory Council, said his group, The Veterans Place, has "secured the local fund-raising necessary to qualify for a federal grant from the Veterans Administration." The grant, if approved, "would draw down federal dollars from the VA's Safe House program, which doles out up to $50 million annually to transitional homes for homeless veterans; it also provides $30 per diems for each veteran housed to help cover operating expenses." Notably, The Veterans Place was founded last year and is working "to construct a transitional home for homeless veterans in central Vermont."

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