Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."
—Howard Zinn
historian and World War II veteran who later developed an anti-war stance

      Happy Holidays, WeCAN Family! We hope you and your community are weathering December well and enjoying the sights, sounds, and activism of the season. We are so appreciative of your support and readership during these last 5 years; you have encouraged and supported this small-but-mighty group through your words and actions and we couldn’t be more grateful for all that you do. Thank you and here's to another 5 more years of activism, community, and getting-the-work-done. 

• Please be aware that the WeCAN team will be taking a brief break over the Christmastime holiday. There will NOT be a Weekly Email Update on December 26th, 2022. In addition, we may adjust the day we send out the Weekly Email Update the following week, due to the New Year holiday. Thank you and Happy Holidays! 
• NOTE: A reminder to our WeCAN Group Leaders and Admins: Please continue to send in your events to [email protected] on a rolling basis, in addition to posting them in the Facebook group. We are now accepting and encouraging events through Spring 2023. Thank you! Have a great week!

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HAPPENING TODAY:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18th, 2022

LGBTQ+ Dance Party for Chanukah
hosted by the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community
Sunday, December 18th, 2022 at Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-8pm.
To join online use: https://zoom.us/j/4300550548
All are invited to the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community's 5th Annual Shine A Light for Social Justice Hanukkah celebrations. 
Light candle # 1 with a LGBTQ+ Dance Party. Dance to a curated Chanukah playlist, feast on homemade latkes and jelly donuts. Help us bring in Hanukkah with PRIDE! 
See the full schedule of Shine A Light events below:
Sun. Dec. 18 LGBTQ+ Dance Party, Centre Congregational Church
Mon. Dec. 19 Environmental Justice, Everyone's Books, 25 Elliot St.
Tues. Dec. 20 Women's Equality Zoom only
Wed. Dec. 21 BIPOC Root Social Justice Center, 28 Williams St. 
Thurs. Dec. 22 Economic Security Brattleboro Food Coop, 2 Main St.
Fri. Dec. 23 Embracing Religious Freedom, Synagogue, 151 Greenleaf St.
Sat. Dec. 24 Immigrant Justice, Yalla Vermont, 80 Main St.
Sun. Dec. 25 Health Care, Zoom only

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
MONDAY DECEMBER 19th, 2022-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2023 (note: this week's Email is for the next two weeks)

Vermont Food Bank’s Veggie Van Go Upcoming Schedule: PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE RESCHEDULED DATES IN JANUARY THAT ARE NOT MONDAYS
The First and Third Mondays of Every Month in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Please, no early birds. 
Questions? Call 1-800-585-2265 or email [email protected] 
Veggie Van Go is a program through the Vermont Foodbank that gives out free produce and local food for people to take home.
ATTENTION: The VT Foodbank asks that participants arrive at the Brattleboro Union High School no earlier than 9:45am. Cars that arrive early will be turned away until the start of the event. 
Monday, December 19th, 2022
Wednesday, January 4th, 2023
Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
Monday, February 6th, 2023
Monday, February 20th, 2023

Important information:

• Drive through model- please stay in your vehicles
• If you are walking there: see a Vermont Foodbank associate but please make sure to stay 6 feet back.
• There are no income requirements, registration or paperwork to participate
• You do not need to be present to get food: you may ask someone to pick up on your family's behalf.

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Simple Techniques to Calm the Body, Calm the Mind
hosted by CASP (Community Asylum Seekers Project)
Monday, December 19th, 2022 at the Multicultural Center (112 Birge Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 2pm-4pm.
To RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRF4E-ce6UW5Oz6UYImoB2MwTBLgunljr28sYqrnACsGM3YQ/viewform
The immigration process often leads to the re-traumatization of those who are seeking refuge in the U.S. by asking in-depth questions about the violence they faced and why they are fleeing.
We want to be prepared for when these events happen and be able to guide asylum seekers and refugees through some calming techniques.
Join this training with Judy Greenberg where we will learn the signs that someone is remembering a traumatic event, the tools and techniques that we can use, and practice teaching it to your peers. Join us in learning how to take better care of each other!

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Blood Drive at the Brattleboro Fire Department
hosted by the BFD, the Town of Brattleboro, the American Red Cross
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 at the Brattleboro Fire Department Central Station (103 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-5:30pm.
Reserve your spot! Register here: https://rcblood.org/3DBjaF8
The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the Brattleboro Fire Department Central Station (103 Elliot St.) on Dec. 22 from 1-5:30pm. Space is limited.

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Guilford Cares Food Pantry
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 at the Guilford Fairgrounds (163 Fairground Rd, Guilford, VT 05301). 3pm-4pm. 
PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL TO CONFIRM HOLIDAY HOURS
If you have questions, concerns or would like to donate groceries or monetary gifts please contact Pat Haine 802-257-0626. For additional questions or more information call 802 579 1350 or email [email protected]. 
Guilford Cares Food Pantry has moved! The Pantry has moved to the First Aid building at the Guilford Fairgrounds. We will be fully stocked with all our usual grocery items.
The Fairgrounds are on Fairground Road, just off Weatherhead Hollow Road. From Guilford Center Road turn onto Weatherhead Hollow Road. Travel 1.7 miles down the road. The Fairgrounds are on the left and there will be a sign directing you up the hill for about .2 miles. The red building is on the left with a sign out in front. Please remain in your car; we’ll greet you,  and give you a shopping list as we have been doing for the past year.
If the Pantry will be closed for any unexpected reason, the closure will be announced on WKVT, WTSA, and Front Porch Forum.
If you cannot come to the Pantry due to illness or high risk, you can call also call Pat to arrange for food delivery by a volunteer.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy.
Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

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Yoga Locally
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 with Sarah Dandelions
Thursday, December 29th, 2022 with Laura Tabachnick
at 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 5:15pm-6:45pm.
November and December donations benefit Community Asylum Seekers Project!
Yoga Locally is a donation based yoga class that meets every Thursday.
*Mats and props provided
*Not a beginner class, but accessible to every body 
*Suggested $5-$20 donation; cash, check, Venmo accepted
December’s schedule is subject to change:)

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Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, December 24th, 2022 at the Winston Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm.
Saturdays, November through March.
For more info email [email protected], call 802-275-2835, or visit us at www.brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org. 
Weekly indoor farmers market, creating community and boosting food security every week.  All local - farm produce, meats, syrup, honey, fresh baked goods, fruits, cider, preserves, plus handmade soaps, gifts and more. 
Accepting credit, debit and SNAP/EBT.  
Crop Cash + Food Boost turns $10 SNAP into $40 every week! 

ONGOING EVENTS

Rural Queer Creative Space
hosted by Out in the Open
Tuesdays, Online. 6pm-7pm.
Bring your knitting, your drawing, your collaging, your sewing, your writing, your painting! Bring your crafts and craft along with other rural queer folks!
Open-drop in space to share your creative side!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87116115742... 

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Recovery Families
hosted by Turning Point
Fridays at Turning Point of Windham County Recovery Center (39 Elm Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Young children welcome!
Join other caregivers for connection and support of your own recovery journey or that of someone you love. 

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Taking Steps Brattleboro, a program of Brattleboro Area Hospice is offering Advance Care Planning Weekly Zoom Information Sessions on Wednesdays from 10am-11am.
If you are interested in attending the Zoom info session, or want more information about Advance Care Planning, please contact Ruth Nangeroni, Advance Care Planning Program Coordinator at 802-257-0775 ext 101 or [email protected]
Advance care planning ensures that your loved ones and health professionals know what you  want in a medical emergency when you are unable to speak for yourself. It’s a process of creating a written health care plan(advance directive) that tells others what you would want if you couldn’t tell them yourself.
Advance Care Planning includes discussing choices about end-of-life (EOL) care with your medical provider, family and others. It involves choosing and educating your Health Care Agent and making informed decisions to complete an Advance Directive. Join us and learn more. Find out if adding a COVID-19 or Dementia provision would be beneficial to include or add to a previously completed Advance Directive.
Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning. BAH is 100% locally funded, and provides services free of charge. Services are available to anyone living in southeastern Vermont or bordering New Hampshire towns.
Advance Care Planning: It’s how people care for one another.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

The Village Closet
on the Wintson Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in Croker Hall.
Open Wednesdays from 4pm-6pm and Saturdays from 10am-12pm, or
by appointment. For more information, please email [email protected]
Your source for free baby, children, and pregnancy clothing/items. Donations of gently used items accepted. We are collecting new and "like new" children's coats and winter gear for our Kids in Coats partnership with United Way of Windham County.  If you have items to donate, please stop by today if you are able!
On Wednesdays, Everyone Eats will be distributing free dinners on campus from 3:30pm-4:30pm.

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FREE HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN WINDHAM COUNTY

Brigid’s Kitchen, St. Michael’s Church, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro 802-254-6800 or 802-558-6072 
Grab-and-go lunches and fruit/nuts on Mon, Weds, Thus, and Sat, 11:30am-12:20pm.

Loaves and Fishes, Centre Congregational Church 193 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-4730
Grab-and-go lunches on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm.

VT Foodbank and Veggie Van Go will be at Brattleboro Union High School (Fairground Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the parking lot, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 10am-11am. Drive up, touchless pickup. Walkers welcome, too. Call VT 211 for more information. 

Foodworks, the food shelf program of the Groundworks Collaborative https://groundworksvt.org (802) 490-2412, [email protected] 
Foodworks has open hours for curbside pickup on Mondays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 1pm-6pm, Fridays 12pm-4pm, last Saturday of each month from 9am-12pm. Deliveries are available onTuesdays across Windham county. Please email [email protected] or call 802-490-2412 with any questions!
Households in need of food are asked to call or email to coordinate delivery. There is an urgent need for volunteers, and Foodworks has set up protocols to keep staff, volunteers, and clients as safe as possible. Please email us at [email protected] if you are able to help.

Marlboro Community Food Share
hosted by the Marlboro Community Center
Wednesday 10am-2pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-12pm; Saturday 10am-12pm at the Marlboro Community Center (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT, 05344). 
The Marlboro Community Center invites you to fill a bag with non-perishable grocery items. Food is set up in the main space and is available during our open hours. Eggs and produce on Thursdays as available. No registration or eligibility required. Deliveries can be made through Marlboro Cares for those needing assistance. Please call Marlboro Cares at 258-3030 in advance to arrange a delivery.
To donate food:
Leave non-perishable food in the donation box at the Marlboro Post Office. It will be collected on a weekly-basis. (Please note that this box previously supplied the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, which is now distributing food exclusively from VT Food Pantry) 
Gardeners and farmers are welcome to donate produce. Wear masks and wash hands when harvesting and handling food. Fresh produce can be dropped off at the Community Center on Thursday between 1pm and 4pm. (Any leftover produce will be taken to FoodWorks the following morning)

Guilford Food Pantry 
Every Thursday at the Guilford Fairgrounds. 5pm-6pm.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy. Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

Putney Foodshelf Weekly Open Hours 
Fridays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Saturdays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 9am-10:30am. (NEW HOURS!)
We also have a food drop at the Putney Meadows parking lot every 4th Thursday, from 9am-9:45am.
Message us on our FB page HERE, call 802.387.8551, or email [email protected] with questions. www.putneyfoodshelf.org
Curbside Open Hours. All are welcome - we just ask you to provide your town of residence and number in household for our data tracking purposes.
Stay in your car, please. Volunteers will take your order and bring out boxes of food, including nonperishable items, fresh produce, paper goods, meat, and dairy products.

Everyone Eats continues, including grab-and-go meals.

• Please see the website for the most up-to-date information. Thank you!

Folks receiving services through Foodworks, Loaves and Fishes, and the Brattleboro Community Justice Center can obtain free meals through those organizations.

Our Place Drop-In Center at 4 Island Street, Bellows Falls, VT, 05101. Call us at 802-463-2217 for assistance. Email at [email protected] Please wear a mask to keep our employees and yourself safe.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday: 8:30am-4pm
Thursday: 8:30am-1pm
Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our Place Drop-In Center operates a food pantry and meal site where they serve breakfast with to-go meals that are ready for pickup by 9am. Lunch is ready by 11:30am. 
Everyone is welcome to stop by to get a meal. At this time we are allowing only employees in the building.

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ADDITIONAL COVID 19 RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT THEIR PERMANENT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE, HERE: https://www.wecantogether.net/covid19_resources

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System

When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 1pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM. To stream live, visit: www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353. 

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From our volunteers to you and yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a warm New Year, friends! We appreciate you and all your efforts so much and we look forward to working with you in 2023.

With many thanks,

Your Friendly WeCAN Editor,

Joanna