The most recent data shows that hunger in Vermont is on the rise year over year — a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, rising housing costs and recent flooding. VTDigger has covered these issues extensively, bringing attention to the growing challenges Vermonters are facing.This Thanksgiving, we’ve partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to help provide meals to neighbors in need and we only have a few days left to send 5,000 meals! There are hundreds of thousands of readers who rely on VTDigger for timely news and information about Vermont every month, but only 1% help sustain it. We are so grateful for your readership, will you help support our work?If every VTDigger reader donated $20 to our year-end drive, we could end the drive today. Please consider a gift now — no matter how big or small.Donate & send mealsAs the Vermont Foodbank and its partners strive to meet growing demand for food aid, they know they’re responding to a basic need. But the factors that are driving food insecurity are complex. As the charitable food system reacts, local journalists are on the frontlines of explaining what is happening, why and what you can do to change it.You can support access to food aid — an immediate need for many Vermonters — while also ensuring that communities have the information and context needed to address the root causes of hunger. While $5 or $25 may not seem like much, if everyone receiving this message gave, we would reach our year-end goal and send 5,000 meals to neighbors in need today.Donate & send meals$25 provides 1 meal for a Vermont family and supports VTDigger’s reporting. $50 provides 5 meals and fuels our independent journalism. $100 provides 25 meals and ensures the news remains free for all Vermonters.Together, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in feeding neighbors and supporting local journalism.With thanks,Sky Barsch,CEO, VTDiggerRead the story on VTDigger here: Only a few days left in VTDigger’s Thanksgiving Drive: Feed families and support journalism.