Americans may not be able to agree about much these days, but most would say there is a lot to be anxious about. The cost of everything seems to be rising, and social safety net programs are being cut. In Burlington’s New North End, a group of volunteers is doing its best to provide relief and stability at the North End Food Pantry.
During the longest government shutdown in our country’s history, SNAP benefits were frozen, leaving 42 million Americans and 65,000 Vermonters hungry. The State of Vermont issued partial benefits to Vermonters through 3SquaresVT, but food banks across the state were seeing increased need and attendance even without the shutdown.
The North End Food Pantry is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Odd Fellows Lodge on North Avenue and serves almost 700 people monthly. Everyone is welcome, and there is no paperwork to fill out. Founder Thom Fleury greets guests at the entry and also accepts a steady stream of donations from community members. People arrive by 8:50 a.m. and head upstairs to receive a number. When their number is called, they choose fresh produce and baked goods, then pick up clothing, shoes, diapers, shelf-stable food and toiletries downstairs.
Seven Days senior multimedia journalist Eva Sollberger spent a few mornings at the pantry meeting people and learning about the volunteer-led organization.
This episode of “Stuck in Vermont” was supported by The Vermont Community Foundation.
Related
![Sharing the Bounty [SIV468]](https://www.communityspiritevent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1763334567_987_Video-Demand-Increases-at-Burlingtons-North-End-Food-Pantry.webp.jpeg)
This article appears in Nov 12-18 2025.
