Press Release: Capstone Community Action Launches 2025 Fuel Your Neighbors Campaign, Presented by EastRise
For Immediate Release
Yvonne Lory, Capstone Community Action
Phone (802) 479-1053
Email: ylory@capstonevt.org
Capstone Community Action Launches 2025 Fuel Your Neighbors Campaign, Presented by EastRise
A campaign providing emergency food and heating assistance to Central Vermonters
(Barre, VT) Capstone Community Action is proud to launch its annual Fuel Your Neighbors campaign, presented by EastRise Credit Union, beginning on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The 100-day campaign raises critical funds for Capstone’s emergency food and heating assistance programs in support of Central Vermonters facing winter challenges.
As the cost of living continues to rise and families struggle to keep up with basic necessities, the Fuel Your Neighbors campaign provides a vital lifeline to households facing impossible choices between heat, food, and other essentials. Last year, Capstone supported thousands of neighbors with emergency services, and demand remains high heading into the winter months.
“Every year, we see more families walking through our doors who are doing everything right but still can’t make ends meet,” said Alison Calderara Executive Director of Capstone Community Action. “Fuel Your Neighbors is about making sure no one in our community has to choose between staying warm and putting food on the table. We are grateful to EastRise for stepping forward as our presenting sponsor and helping us sustain this work.”
EastRise, a long-standing community partner, returns for the ninth year with renewed commitment to addressing urgent community needs.
“Fuel Your Neighbors stands as a lifeline for Vermonters who face the harsh realities of winter. At EastRise, we believe that every family has the right to nourishing meals and a warm place to call home,” said Sarah Ricker, Community Relationship Manager. “For nearly a decade, we’ve supported Fuel Your Neighbors because it represents what matters most: neighbors helping neighbors, and a community united by compassion.”
This year’s campaign is supported by a growing coalition of business sponsors committed to strengthening the safety net for their neighbors. To date, sponsors include EastRise, Vermont Blue Advantage, The Alchemist, Hunger Mountain Coop, Mascoma Bank, M&T Bank, National Life Group, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Acrisure, Ivy Computer, and Union Mutual.
The Fuel Your Neighbors campaign invites individuals, businesses, and community groups to join this effort by donating, hosting food drives, or spreading awareness. Every contribution supports Central Vermonters facing food insecurity or at risk of running out of heat during the coldest months of the year.
To learn more or to donate, visit Fuel Your Neighbors.org
Capstone Community Action was founded in 1965 and works to overcome poverty by serving people in crisis and creating economic opportunity for people and communities. Capstone’s programs include emergency food, heat assistance, housing counseling and homelessness intervention, savings and credit coaching, business counseling, workforce development, home weatherization, and child and family development programs in Early Head Start/Head Start. We serve over 10,000 individuals and families through these programs each year. www.capstonevt.org.
About EastRise Credit Union
With Vermont roots going back over 75 years, EastRise Credit Union is a true local partner for our nearly 170,000 members in Vermont and beyond. We go above and beyond to provide the financial tools and guidance that help our members and communities build stronger and more sustainable financial futures. From trusted digital banking and a relationship-first approach to affordable home ownership and green lending, EastRise is committed to doing better and raising the bar for everyone.
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