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Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Burlington to Donate Nearly $40k to Feeding Chittenden

Burlington’s Department of Public Work’s Parking Services implements multi-year campaign to fight food insecurity 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Weinberger announced a second annual contribution of nearly $40,000 to Feeding Chittenden through the City’s ‘Fines for Food’ program. In 2021, the City launched a pilot program to donate half of overdue parking tickets paid during the holiday season to Feeding Chittenden to help combat food insecurity. After the successful pilot, the Mayor, City Council, Department of Public Works and the Parking Services staff were eager to formalize this campaign for at least five more years. In July, the City Council unanimously approved a motion to continue 'Fines for Food' through 2026.  

"This program is one of the many new City initiatives to advance our economic recovery in an equitable way,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Feeding Chittenden is a critical partner in the City’s efforts to support our most vulnerable neighbors. I know that every penny – and every parking ticket – is money well spent to support their noble work.”  

‘Fines for Food’, which runs during the holiday season, encourages community members to resolve outstanding parking fines where DPW donates 50% of overdue payments to Feeding Chittenden. It was envisioned by Councilor Paul and designed by DPW’s Parking Services group in consultation with the Administration and Feeding Chittenden to take concrete action to address food insecurity, unlock lost revenue for the City, and create a positive experience for people in resolving old, overdue tickets. 

In 2022, over 12,000 people were served through Feeding Chittenden’s programs, and 26,667 meals were distributed as a result of the $40,000 contribution from the Fines for Food program. 

“Feeding Chittenden is determined to make food accessible to all in our region and the ‘Fines for Food’ campaign plays a vital role in our efforts to end hunger,” said Rob Meehan, Director of Feeding Chittenden. “We are so grateful to everyone at the Department of Public Works for all their hard work coordinating this meaningful effort.” 

“Food insecurity is an unacceptable truth that is within our capacity to address,” said City Council President Karen Paul. “‘Fines for Food’ is the very essence of commUnity with a capital U. We come together, support one another, we stand in Unity against hunger. Fines for Food was created to be a unique way for our community to pay it forward, neighbor helping neighbor, community members helping those they do not know personally but know to be in need. We stand in Unity in support of an amazing local community partner, Feeding Chittenden, who works every day to alleviate hunger by feeding people and cultivating opportunities.” 

“The Parking Services team at DPW is committed to ensuring the parking experience in Burlington is safe and equitable,” said DPW Director Chapin Spencer and Division Director for Parking and Traffic Jeff Padgett in a joint statement. “‘Fines for Food,’ raising the scoff threshold to avoid early impoundments and a newly revamped Whoops program (one annual ticket-waiver for certain parking tickets), are all ways this team is demonstrating its commitment to community and creating a positive parking experience in Burlington. We thank them for their work and thank Feeding Chittenden for all the ways they give back to the community.” 

More Information 

Community members can reach a member of the one-stop-shop Parking Services team by calling 802-540-2380 or pay overdue tickets online at burlingtonvt.gov/parking or in person at the municipal building at 645 Pine St.  

Community members are also encouraged to contribute to Feeding Chittenden. Please visit https://feedingchittenden.org/ to learn more about their work. 

About Feeding Chittenden  

Feeding Chittenden works to alleviate hunger by feeding people and cultivating opportunities. As the largest direct service emergency food provider in Vermont, Feeding Chittenden serves over 12,000 people each year. 

Feeding Chittenden is a Program of The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO). 

 

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Press Release Date: 
02/23/2023
City Department: 
Mayor's Office