Last year, Southern Vermont tried something new. Instead of the usual newsletter send and matching individuals or families based on interests, the Welcome Wagon Chapter shifted, and invited Vermonters to invite newcomers in their own circles out to dinner.
Piloted in Windham County in 2025, “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month” resulted in 54 residents sharing meals together, whether at a local restaurant or in their homes. Host Nettie Lane described her March 2025 experience as “fantastic.” “It was truly wonderful to get to know my new neighbors,” Lane says. “We really enjoyed sharing the meal and our company. We even talked about starting a communal garden together! I also was happy to support a local business.”
This year, the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project, the Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce, Real Rutland, Imagine Vermont in Addison County, Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation in Windsor County, the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, and the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce are all teaming up to expand the initiative to their areas as well.
“March can be especially tough for someone who has just experienced their first Vermont winter, and hasn’t made a lot of community connections yet,” says Rachel Shields Ebersole, program manager for Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s GROW SoVermont, part of BDCC’s programming to foster thriving communities and a robust regional workforce. “Helping folks with a little extra welcome during cabin-fever season can really make a difference.”
Together, regional efforts continue to roll out new initiatives and continue successful programs that aim to welcome New Vermonters and help them find the feeling of "home" within their community. See how your region can support you to invite a New Vermonter to a meal this March - some regions have secret menu items at local restaurants, some are hosting meetups, and some may reimburse some of your tab.