Community Bank will double your donation to keep Vermont homes warm

Read the full article at www.burlingtonfreepress.com.

Residents struggling to heat their homes this winter may find help through the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Warmth Support Program, thanks to a matching campaign launched with Community Bank.

Community Bank is matching every donation to the Warmth Support Program dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, through Feb. 28, 2026, according to an announcement. The program provides emergency funding for heating fuel and basic electrical needs, while also offering counseling and wraparound services to help families avoid future crises.

“The Warmth Support Program is a vital lifeline for our community. Beyond just keeping the heat on, these donations ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors — especially seniors and families with children — remain safe and secure in their own homes,” said Travis Poulin, CVOEO's Community Action Network director. “By providing this essential support, we aren't just preventing frozen pipes; we are ensuring that life-sustaining medical equipment stays powered and that no one is forced to endure the winter in a cold, dark house.”

The Warmth Support Program is a statewide initiative that provides emergency heating assistance to low-income Vermonters. Last year, the program helped 2,670 neighbors across the Champlain Valley, according to the announcement. Since its inception in 1986, the program has delivered more than 95,700 emergency disbursements.

“In Vermont, staying warm is a matter of safety, not comfort,” said Matt Plasse, Community Bank’s New England regional president. “CVOEO’s expertise in getting help to those who need it most is unmatched, and we are proud to support their life-saving work.”

To learn more or donate, visit cvoeo.org/warmth.

If you live outside the Champlain Valley but still want to donate to the Warmth Support Program, you can mail your gift, or donate online, to the Community Action Agency serving your county:

 - BROC Community Action45 Union St., Rutland, VT 05701Serving: Bennington & Rutland counties broc.org
- Capstone Community Action20 Gable Place, Barre, VT 05641 Serving: Lamoille, Orange & Washington counties capstonevt.org
- Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)P.O. Box 1265, Burlington, VT 05402 Serving: Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, & Grand Isle counties cvoeo.org
- Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)P.O. Box 346, Newport, VT 05850 Serving: Caledonia, Essex & Orleans counties nekcavt.org
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)91 Buck Drive, Westminster, VT 05158 Serving: Windham & Windsor counties sevca.org