Vermont Program Needs Volunteers to Help Aging Neighbors

For over two decades, Neighbor to Neighbor has helped older adults in Vermont's Northshire region live independently by connecting them with volunteer neighbors who give rides, pick up groceries, and share conversation over lunch.

Now the Manchester-based program faces a volunteer shortage just as demand is growing. Program Director Danielle Moran says the same dedicated volunteers are covering more requests, and she worries about burnout.

The need is real. Vermont ranks as the second-oldest state in America, with one in five residents now over 65. In Bennington County, that number jumps to one in four.

Many seniors want to stay in their homes but struggle without access to transportation or nearby services. Nursing homes in Bennington have two-year waiting lists, and retirement communities can't keep up with demand.

Volunteers help with medical rides to appointments in Bennington, Rutland, and even Burlington. They assist with grocery shopping and prescription pickups. But perhaps most importantly, they provide social connection through regular luncheons and friendly visits.

The program currently serves ten Northshire towns and hopes to expand to Bennington and Shaftsbury as more volunteers join. Moran says calls from outside the service area are increasing, especially since a similar Bennington program recently closed.

The Ripple Effect

When young people from the YMCA of Kentucky Youth Corps visited a Neighbor to Neighbor luncheon, they filled the room with laughter and life by simply spending time with the seniors present. These small acts of connection help combat isolation while allowing older Vermonters to remain active members of their communities.

The volunteer commitment is flexible. Some helpers drive a few times monthly, while others assist with specific tasks that fit their schedules.

Moran invites anyone curious about volunteering to attend one of the program's luncheons to see the impact firsthand. "I always ask people, if you want to get to know us, come to one of our luncheons," she says.

After 22 years of neighbors helping neighbors, the program simply needs more good people to keep the circle growing.