Homeless Vigil

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Created on Friday, 07 March 2014 16:22

Written by Alex Farnworth

LYNDONVILLE- Community members from all around the Northeast Kingdom will be able to get a glimpse of what being homless really feels like.

The percentage of homeless people in Vermont has been skyrocketing over recent years, with 2012's total reaching a count of 2,819 homless citizens.

The Rural Edge is a community-based devlopment corportation who estimated that there were about 24 homeless families in St. Johnsbury alone whom had to brace for the cold last week.

Rural Edge has a Rural Reality Campaign where people get a chance to experience what it's like to be homeless. As a part of this campaign, Rural Edge is hosting a "Night in the Park Vigil" at Lyndonville's Bandstand Park. Residents will be able to experience what it's like to be homless tonight from 4:00pm until 8:00am tomorrow morning. One of the biggest factors, especially in Vermont, is dealing with the weather.

Dan Haycook works with Rural Edge and talked about how difficult dealing with the blistering Vermont weather could be. Haycook said it allows everyone "To kind of get a feel for what it is that people in this area are dealing with everyday." Haycook also mentioned that there will be burn barrels to put off heat, as well as live music provided by Lyndonville's own, Burnt Toast. Rural Edge will also be receiving food donations.

The Bagel Depot in Lyndonville will be making a donation of two dozen bagels with cream cheese on the side, as well as some coffee pots. Chip Aussiker, an employee for the Bagel Depot said "We're pretty community oreinted anyway, so we try to do our part wherever we can."

Rural Edge will be accepting donations all night long at the Bandstand Park.