About
We work to empower those who are under-served in the community
Black River Good Neighbor Services offers several assistance programs, both on our own and
on behalf of other organizations. We administer programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide assistance in accessing programs run by the State of Vermont and by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To see more about the services we offer, please visit the Our Services page. To jump to Our Policies, please CLICK HERE.
If you have any questions, please call us at 802-228-3663.
Our organization began modestly in the 1960s when a group of United Church of Ludlow members started the Community Welfare Committee to distribute food and other assistance
to their neighbors who needed help. From that small beginning, we grew and grew, moving through many locations in Ludlow, and finally landing in the old red, white and blue firehouse
on Main Street in the mid-1980s.
That’s when we incorporated with our current name as a section 501(c)(3) charity, and became what we are today – the backbone of private assistance in Ludlow, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Mount Holly, Belmont and Plymouth.
In 2011 we moved to the newly renovated Ludlow Community Center Complex where we provide free, confidential help to financially distressed individuals and families to facilitate their navigation of the often intricate pathways to locate assistance. We focus primarily on distributing free food and providing rent, fuel and other aid for those who meet our guidelines. We receive funding from individual and business donations, some grants and local public sources. We operate our thrift store and furniture store to cover some of the expenses of providing assistance. Our store provides reasonably priced clothing to anyone who wishes to buy, but is aimed to help those with limited funds. We do not charge those who are in direst need. As the only broad based clothing store in the immediate area we also provide accessibility for those with limited mobility.
We operate under an unpaid,15 person Board of Directors. We have a small paid staff and many volunteers. We are always in need of new volunteers as people move and age. We can use your help; there are many rewarding ways to volunteer or to help us out.
Basic policies governing the operation of BRGNS address 1) Confidentiality and 2) Nondiscrimination. These policies may be reviewed by scrolling down.
Our Policies
Confidentiality Policy
Confidentiality is the preservation of privileged information.
Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS) strives to provide the highest quality service to
our customers, clients, and entire community. In the process of providing that service, there are times when privileged personal information may be disclosed, observed or discovered.
Privileged personal information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding an individual's need, current employment or lack thereof, financial standing, family situation, receipt of or participation in a BRGNS program(s), personal identification, and/or health status.
Under no circumstances, except as required to operate the outreach of BRGNS or as mandated by law, is privileged personal information obtained during the operation of BRGNS regarding any current or former customer, client, volunteer, employee and/or board member to be revealed or discussed during or after the term of employment/volunteer service.
If privileged personal information is required to provide, improve or continue a service or function of BRGNS, the information must be dealt with in as secure and confidential manner as possible.
Allowing an unauthorized person to overhear a legitimate discussion of privileged information is a breach of confidentiality. Upon separating from employment or at the end of volunteering or a board term of office, all materials containing privileged information must be returned.
The BRGNS Board of Directors has full judicatory powers regarding the interpretation, application, and enforcement of this agreement.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Black River Good Neighbor Services, Inc. (BRGNS) is a 501(c)(3) organization. BRGNS has a long-standing record of nondiscrimination in employment and opportunity because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, marital status, disability, veteran or draft status. BRGNS also does not discriminate against any individual in any protected class who meets our financial criteria for assistance.
It is the policy of BRGNS to:
• Strictly follow personnel and assistance procedures that ensure equal opportunity for all people without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, marital status, disability, veteran or draft status;
• Comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). BRGNS will not discriminate against any qualified employee, volunteer, or job applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person’s physical or mental disability.
• Make reasonable accommodations wherever necessary for all employees, volunteers, or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.
• Achieve understanding and acceptance of BRGNS’s policy on Equal Employment Opportunity by all employees and by the communities in which the organization operates;
• Thoroughly investigate instances of alleged discrimination and take corrective action if warranted;
• Be continually alert to identify and correct any practices by individuals that are at variance with the intent of our non-discrimination policy.
• Apply the same principles outlined above for employment opportunity to our client assistance programs, and be continually alert to treating our clients in a non-discriminatory manner.
Contact Us
Address
Thrift store and Food Shelf
37B Main Street
Ludlow, VT 05149
Furniture Store
105 Main Street
Ludlow, VT 05149
Contact
Thrift store and Food Shelf
802-228-3663
Furniture Store
802-228-7055
Email:
Open Hours
Thrift store
Mon - Sat
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Food Shelf
Mon - Fri
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Furniture Store
Fri - Sat
10:00 am – 4:00 pm