Residents of Putney voted on Tuesday to allocate 1 percent of the town’s budget to the local food shelf, resulting in a significant increase in financial support due to the rising demand amidst the affordability challenges faced by many. During the Town Meeting at Putney Central School, the community overwhelmingly endorsed a funding boost that will elevate the Food Shelf’s budget from approximately $7,466 to over $20,000.

The Executive Director of the Putney Food Shelf, Hannah Pick, indicated that the organization is seeking additional funds from surrounding towns, noting that the food shelf serves residents from Putney, Brattleboro, Westminster, and Dummerston. According to Pick, about 30 percent of inquiries for assistance originate from Putney, mirroring the demand from Brattleboro. After meeting recently, officials from Westminster decided to raise their contribution to the food shelf from $5,000 to $7,000, while Dummerston has been approached for a $3,000 donation.

Concerns were voiced by community members that the initially established funding for the food shelf—integrated into the town’s budget for social services—might dilute the impact of the new allocation. Discussions around the funding proposal were extensive, leading to numerous amendments for clarification, before the Moderator, Meg Mott, called for a final vote which received unanimous support.

Pick described a dramatic increase in the need for food assistance, reporting a staggering 280 percent rise over the past six years. When she first joined the organization, the Food Shelf served just 48 families, but that number surged to 185 last year, with a total of 3,250 visits representing aid for 7,282 individuals. Supported by a team of 65 volunteers and two staff members, the Food Shelf operates with a purchasing budget of around $100,000, providing essentials including milk, eggs, produce, and meat alongside staple items.

Ruby McAdoo from Putney Community Cares expressed that the current funding levels are insufficient to meet the escalating demands the Food Shelf faces, noting that the organization’s efforts are commendable given the circumstances. Town Manager Karen Astley clarified that the newly approved funds correspond to approximately $20,219, which would incrementally affect the town’s property tax rate.

Local resident Laura Chapman highlighted the likelihood of further increases in the demand for food assistance, especially as the federal food relief program has recently disqualified many applicants from its rolls. Despite prior funding being in place, worries arose regarding the impact of the new funding on existing allocations.

In addition to food shelf considerations, voters readily approved the municipal budget for the upcoming year, which includes a $2 million general fund and a $1.2 million highway fund. The highway budget saw a decrease of 10.3 percent thanks to the elimination of a vacant position within the department. The general fund’s increase of 6.6 percent is primarily attributed to restoring an administrative assistant role previously lost from Town Hall staffing.

Astley and Putney Fire Chief Brian Harlow provided updates on the local fire department, which has seen a positive transformation since a crisis two years ago. While the department has transitioned to part-time operations, Harlow reported that recent advancements have resulted in five members obtaining firefighter certification, with former Brattleboro Chief Len Howard contributing as a mentor.

The Town Meeting also marked Moderator Meg Mott’s retirement after eight years in the role, during which she expressed her appreciation for the support she received from the community.