Category Archives: Front Porch Forum
How can you use FPF in times of crisis?
Get tips on how best to make use of Front Porch Forum during these unprecedented times we’re in due to COVID-19. Visit frontporchforum.com/fpf-in-times-of-crisis for regular updates.
Coronavirus is an unprecedented public health crisis. Connection among neighbors is a critical asset during crises and Front Porch Forum is here to serve. Neighbors helping neighbors, people asking questions, government agencies and nonprofits posting updates, and more. This aligns with our community-building work that has been our mission since launching in 2006.
FPF’s action steps now:
FPF is 100% committed to our role as essential civic infrastructure for Vermont communities, and we will do whatever it takes to help Vermonters and our neighbors in upstate New York stay connected and be resilient in this time of crisis.
- FPF’s engineering team is rapidly building new tools for helping our members track coronavirus information more effectively, as well as for highlighting official alerts from government and institutional partners.
- While members are using FPF to self-organize in response to the crisis, our team is going to great lengths to ensure that misinformation stays off of FPF.
- For businesses and government agencies that pay for access to FPF, we’ve provided the ability to post unlimited free crisis-related messages.
- We are also temporarily reducing advertising rates for all local advertisers. As small businesses develop new products and services during this time, from expanded e-commerce to new delivery options, they’ll also want to share news about changing hours of operation, steps they are taking to deal with the crisis, and more. FPF’s tremendous reach, trust, and now a steeply discounted price should help. For more info contact localbiz@frontporchforum.com.
Here’s how you can use FPF during this time:
Please post to your local FPF and respond to others. Recent examples for inspiration:
– Setting up shopping services for neighbors who are quarantined
“My 93 year old grandmother is feeling justifiably nervous about going out and about to get groceries right now. Unfortunately, she lives in Maryland and I live in Lincoln, so I’m limited in how I can help her … but maybe I can help you! If you live in Lincoln and the thought of going out to grab groceries is making you feel vulnerable and nervous please email me or send me a text. You can give me a grocery list and I’ll head to town and pick things up for you.” – Suzanna in Lincoln
“Let’s start a list of those who might be willing to pick up/drop off groceries & prescriptions and those who might need the help. Perhaps the best place to start is to ask if there are a couple other people in our community who would be willing to brainstorm how we could set something up.” – Cassandra in Northfield
“What do you think about starting a Five Sisters shopping squad to go on grocery/drug-store runs for neighbours who are immunocompromised, older or self-quarantined?” – Zoe in Burlington
– Addressing food insecurity with school closures
“I am aware that food-insecure households in our community will be critically affected by school closures. I also believe that as a community we have the ability to face this challenge together. Perhaps we could cooperate with school officials to deliver meals prepared in the school kitchens as the necessary infrastructure & financial support for food preparation are already in place there. I’d like to reach out to school officials to offer help with delivering meals to students that need them when schools are closed.” – Forest in Shelburne
– Offering to pick up prescriptions for those who can’t
“I am still going into my office for the time being. I work above Walgreens on Main St. If anyone in Cabot needs to get prescriptions filled but doesn’t wish to venture out, I am happy to pick them up and deliver them to your home. Hopefully others who are traveling to the larger surrounding towns will join me. Remaining calm and helping our neighbors is the best way to battle this evolving situation.” – Ruby in Cabot
– Sharing supplies that others may need, i.e., toilet paper
“Before all the Covid-19 brou ha ha began we happened to pick up a large package of toilet paper on a Costco run. If any local residents are self-isolating and need a roll (because that appears to be what stores are out of most), send me an email explaining your situation and I will be happy to drop a roll on your doorstep. Be well, everyone!“ – Bill in Burlington
– Suggestions for child care and how to continue schooling at home
“With sudden school and daycare closings, many in our community need child care ASAP. First responders and front line healthcare workers especially need help. If you are a daycare provider, or perhaps a college kid at home with some time on your hands, please consider offering to help with child care. You can respond to FPF or even leave your name, phone number, and capacity at HR@CVHHH.org.” – Rebecca in Montpelier
For creative school projects while at home, see our blog on the topic.
– Reach out to those who feel isolated and tend toward depression.
” Stay in touch, let folks know they are not alone, that someone cares. And I urge anyone out there in our community who feels afraid to be isolated, let someone know that you need support. It’s OK to ask…any time, not just when there is a pandemic.” – Cynthia in Middlesex
– Many businesses use FPF to reach customers.
While health is paramount, the viability of our local economies is urgently important too. Please find ways to buy local during this time, including supporting FPF’s advertisers.
– Try taking in-person gatherings online and let others know
“No surprise here: Open Mic Night will not happen as scheduled in efforts to keep our community healthy and safe. BUT! Don’t let that stop you from sharing your talents! Let’s do Open Mic Night remotely!
If we’re going to socially distance ourselves or a while,
Let’s take every chance we can get to make each other smile!
I’m not a big rhymer, it really just isn’t my style,
But for neighbors I’m happy to weather an extra long mile
See? Poems are already happening. SO:
Send out a link on FPF to a recording of your music!
Post your favorite joke to FPF!
Publish an excerpt from your upcoming novel on FPF for us to read!” – Marie in Huntington
Nourishing Our Communities
Despite competitive grocery shopping and items running out, countless establishments and community members have stepped up to ensure their communities are nourished during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some posts from FPF members that may fill your hearts and your bellies:
“When the second Gulf War began in Iraq in the Spring of 2003 and Baghdad was under siege, one of the newspapers (I think that it was the New York Times, but I might be mistaken) published an article about the very last small businesses to stay open to serve the simple Iraqis in the midst of all the chaos, pain and hardship. It was Baghdad’s small local bakeries.
I was so impressed by that, and I clipped the article and stashed it away (I’m sure I still have it somewhere) and this being long before I became a baker myself. The selflessness of the invisible men and women (bakers are mostly night workers) manning those hot ovens in the middle of all that chaos to provide nourishment to the community was more awesome to me than the violence of any airstrikes or advancing coalition armies.
Today, during these uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain determined to serve you, the common men and women who make up the townships of Central Vermont. With our obligation to provide nourishment and with your support of Rise Up Bakery and the other local small businesses, we are together guiding the community through this uninvited wilderness that surrounds us. This in turn will help us to be there to help other local businesses when they can again open their doors.
Our oven remains fired tonight. And we are ever grateful to you, our friends and neighbors of the local community.” • Jim H. in Calais, Vt.
“Hello Waterbury. Nicole and I hope to provide 400 16” Pizzas to the HUUSD and Williston schools. They’ll be passed out to families in need through the school lunch pickup sites. These are Take & Bake style pizzas, like in local grocery stores.
We are hoping to raise $2000 to cover the cost of cheese, etc. If you’re in a position to donate, please consider doing so.
We hope to make the pizzas available as early as 3/27. If your need is more urgent, call or email us and we’ll get you pizza sooner. #NoHungryKids #VermontStrong” • Dan R. in Waterbury, Vt.
“Need help with food? Here are some sources of help:
Resources complied by Hunger Free Vermont about WIC, 3SquaresVT (known nationally as SNAP), senior meals and more: https://www.hungerfreevt.org/coronavirus
Hinesburg Community Resource Center Food Shelf information: www.hinesburgresource.org/food-shelf.html
Champlain Valley School District free/reduced school meals (families can apply at any time): https://www.cvsdvt.org/cms/lib/VA02000902/Centricity/Domain/35/LettertoParents_FY20_F_R.pdf” • Rachel K. in Hinesburg, Vt.
Countless more businesses, organizations and individuals are using Front Porch Forum to unite with their neighbors and fulfill the needs of their communities. Get involved and find the latest information on your area’s take-out, delivery, grocery, and prepped meal options by joining today.
Creative School Projects at Home
Every day we are hearing more and more serious news about COVID-19. Front Porch Forum members are busy networking to help each other with child care and grocery shopping, sharing news and ideas, and creative learning projects kids can do while school is closed. Below, read about two kids who are preparing to put their academic skills to use in a creative home project.
“Hey Stowe neighbors,
We are in 4th and 2nd grade at Stowe Elementary. We can’t go to school now so we would like to work on a fun and creative outdoor project. The project we chose is to build an Adirondack lean-to like the ones the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the 1930’s. We researched online and found plans. We want to build our lean-to so we can camp out in it. In this project we will use math skills, reading skills, measuring and how to use tools.
The reason we are reaching out to you is because we would like to know is anyone has any left over building materials that we could come pick up to use for our project. We will modify the plans for the lean-to to be built with the materials we can find.
We are seeking:
roofing materials
plywood for decking
wood that could be used for walls
During this time of social separation, it is nice to have Front Porch Forum.” • 4th & 2nd Graders in Stowe, Vt.
Share your creative ideas or network with neighbors in your community on FPF today. We are all in this together!
How you can help during the coronavirus outbreak
A roadside sign along I-89N in Middlesex informs drivers to go to healthvermont.gov to learn more about the COVID-19 virus on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
VTDigger spoke with co-founder of FPF, Michael Wood-Lewis, about how our members are posting with ideas on how to volunteer and help our neighbors as we face the challenges which the coronavirus brings each of us.
Vermonters, known for being civic-minded, have already started taking to Front Porch Forum and Twitter to see how they can help fellow residents prepare for the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Michael Wood-Lewis, founder of Front Porch Forum, said the online, community-based information service was seeing “dozens, probably hundreds” of posts from neighbors wanting to help out. Several ad hoc groups are organizing courier services to deliver supplies to neighbors who can’t leave their homes.
Post your offer of assistance or request for help to your local Front Porch Forum.
Read the full article here: https://vtdigger.org/2020/03/14/guide-how-you-can-help-volunteer-or-donate-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
Area small businesses connect with locals on FPF
Small businesses and your neighbors find great value in Front Porch Forum’s Business Directory
“The Standard Business Access Plan with recurring payments is a GREAT value (in my opinion), far better than newsprint with its reach and reader retention. I am able to connect with local shoppers and cultivate a nice client list. Keep doing what you are doing for the area small businesses, it is greatly appreciated.” • Heidi at Whipple Tree Designs
“I first hired Terri from the FPF Business Index last summer to prepare for a “mom visit” – and Terri cleaned my house so well that even my Mom was impressed!” • Catherine in Northfield
“Recently I posted a query about vacuum cleaner repair. The closest recommendation was in Williston. But then I found a listing in the FPF business directory.” • John in East Montpelier
Use FPF’s Business Directory and support your local area businesses!
Pssst! Do you want to be in-the-know?
“Have access to every community event before it happens? You can with the click of one button! Here’s the secret: Click the box in your FPF e-newsletter that says “CALENDAR.” This link will magically bring you to our Community Calendar page, where you can find out what’s happening all over town. For instance, just next week alone, I see…
…A poetry performance by local youth
…A school board meeting about hiring the new SU superintendent
…The Empower Vermont high school music festival
A Spring Trails event
A diaper drive featuring a magician (Wait, what? Hey, I’m just telling you what’s on the calendar.)
If you’d like your upcoming event to appear on our local Community Calendar, just post it as an “event” on Front Porch Forum, and it will appear there automatically. Enjoy this cool resource!” • Ursula in Middlesex
“Perhaps other people already know this, but I only recently became aware of the calendar that is available on Front Porch Forum. If you click on FAQ and then “calendar,” you can see the calendar for a whole month. Anyone who is trying to schedule an event, should check this calendar first, in order to help avoid conflicts.” • Susan in Randolph
“Hurray for Valley Calendar! At last a way to see some of what is going on in the Valley – please keep showing the Mad River Valley Calendar in FPF!” • Pamela in Warren
“There really is a sense of community commitment, responsibility, and self-reliance that we’ve never seen any place else when we read FPF. It’s a wonderful on-line communication model for communities that want to effectively keep in touch, and offer something for everyone. We thoroughly enjoy the news and updates from the surrounding communities, as well as updates on the legislative meetings that are open to the public. It is not only engaging to learn about what services are available (enormously helpful!), but the social calendars are fun too. Well done!” • Rona & Richard in Arlington
Town Meeting Day is Here!
It’s Town Meeting Day in Vermont and Front Porch Forum is buzzing with posts about community-centric topics and local issues. Stay informed on what’s happening in your town and around the state, and keep the conversation going! Here are some great posts about Town Meeting Day from neighbors on FPF:
“Hi Neighbors! For those of you that haven’t taken advantage of early voting, I’m extending an invitation to help get you to Holley Hall tomorrow to VOTE! I have a young one with me, so my availability is limited. But during the morning, we would be more than happy to pick you up & take you home if getting out is a challenge for you.
Please get in touch this evening if you’d like to make a plan. Thank you to everyone who participates in voting!” • Megan in Bristol
“Here’s our proposal:
WHAT: a real Pot Luck Lunch
WHEN: on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 3rd, whenever the meeting ends
WHERE: in the gym at Doty Memorial School
WHY: because it’s so good to be able to sit down and talk with neighbors that we may not see very often, while sharing a delicious meal!” • Dell in Worcester
“Town Meeting Day is a Vermont tradition that feels deeply important to me. We live in a place where we still can truly participate in the democratic process, connect with our neighbors, and model active citizenship to our children. Please consider attending, even if you never have before! I hope to see you there.” • Tai in Charlotte
Don’t forget to share your thoughts on Town Meeting Day on your FPF!
FPF Search: A very useful function
Looking for a recommendation from an old, “lost” posting on Front Porch Forum? Members remind us that you can use our “Search” function with great success! (Searching past posting is available both on our website and the FPF mobile app!)
“I notice a lot of requests for past postings that people are requesting. If you were to log into your Front Porch Forum Account, Click on the “Search” button and type in a key word. This will bring up all sorts of past postings that you are looking for. I’ve done this numerous times in the past.” • Michael in Bristol
“If you are looking for old posts, you do not have to wait until you post a question and (hopefully) get an answer the next day. Just go to frontporchforum.com, sign in and hit search archives. If you just type the pertinent words in the right side of the page, it finds any posts on the subject for whatever date range you request and whichever neighborhoods you want. If you want a phrase, put quotes around the phrase or it might find anything with any of the words. It may find even some posts you did not recall seeing in the first place which could be helpful. I’ve used this more times than I can count to locate people and find recommendations.” • Donna in Calais
“It really helps to post recommendations to the Forum as opposed to emailing the author.” • Nancy in Fairfax
“If you need to search past issues of FPF, go to the login page and the third option on the top menu is “search archive.” It is a very useful function.” • Laury in Montpelier
VT Benefit Corp Seeking Full-Stack Developer
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Front Porch Forum is seeking an Intermediate or Senior-level Developer to join our team. The position is full-time and based in Burlington (remote optional). Be part of a world-class team of engineers. Help us fulfill our community-building mission.
Finding lost treasure(s) on FPF
With the help of neighbors, Front Porch Forum members are reunited with treasured items and pets.
“We found Clem, our parrot, this morning from FPF postings and people looking out for her. Because people could contact us, we found her within 20 minutes of her moving to a different location. She flew down from treetops to telephone wire to my shoulder and we brought her back home. We are grateful for FPF and to all the people in our community who helped track her, talk to her and contact us!” • Michelle in Montpelier
“FPF is awesome! Within hours of posting my lost Yaktrax, I got a call from a neighbor who found both missing pairs, and another call from a neighbor offering me the ones she never uses! Thanks folks!” • Deb in Brookline
“Thank you. Whoever you are. In a moment of disheveled mania (dogs to emergency vet), i needed gas. During that transaction, and juggling vet calls, i dropped my debit card. And someone just returned it. Just like that. So simple and yet so meaningful. I can’t thank you enough. You have a piece of my heart… and sanity. â¤ï¸” • Coco in Johnson
“I am glad the goat found his way home. Thanks for the narrative of the plight of Mr. Henkles as well as those who posted after finding a wandering goat. I actually anticipated the next FPF to follow the mystery/goat thriller.”
• Jeremy in Fayston
“I just recovered my glasses courtesy of a thoughtful neighbor who saw the listing and made the effort to respond. Many thanks to the two other folks who responded in a helpful manner, as well as to Front Porch Forum that makes this sort of thing possible.” • Peter in East Montpelier
About Blog
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more
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