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INVITE A NV TO DINNER

a Statewide Initiative

MARCH IS...

Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month

Folks move to Vermont from all across the U.S., and the end of their first winter or two can be especially challenging. So organizations across Vermont are banding together to declare March “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month.”

Help a newcomer survive the March doldrums and take them out or have them over for a meal.

Piloted by the GROW SoVermont program in Southern Vermont in 2025, this year the initiative is expanding to multiple counties across the state. 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Incentives vary from special deals with participating restaurants to reimbursements for part of the cost of the meal.

Select your region below to learn more details. 

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INVITE A NEW VERMONTER

Not sure where to find a new Vermonter? They’re truly everywhere! Consider new neighbors who may have come from away, or perhaps a new family in your school, someone you know from a volunteer organization, or a fellow participant in a fitness class or sports league. 

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If you’re new yourself, we’d love to match you with a local host! Follow the link for your area to get in touch with a program manager who will set you right up.​

THE FINE PRINT

"NEW VERMONTER"

New Vermonters are defined as folks who have moved (or returned) to Vermont within the last 2 years. You’re of course welcome to invite someone who has been here longer than that – or to someone who is new to your town but not new to Vermont.

However, due to grant funding requirements, special deals and reimbursements will only apply for those who moved to Vermont from another state after March 1, 2024. 

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REIMBURSEMENT POLICY FOR ALCOHOL

Due to grant funding requirements, alcohol expenses can not be reimbursed.  Please feel free to enjoy a local brew or signature alcoholic beverage during your meal, just know you will be responsible for the cost.

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MISSING WW CHAPTER

If you would like to participate as an organization or individual but don’t see your region listed, reach out to the GROW SoVermont program manager: Rachel Shields Ebersole (rsebersole@brattleborodevelopment.com). 

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WHO CAN INITIATE THE INVITATION?

This is primarily a “host-side” initiative, to empower longtime locals to become “hosts” and think of new Vermonters they can extend the welcome to. If you’re a newcomer, we absolutely want to get you connected as well! Follow the link for your region or send us an email to say you’re interested in newcomers programming and Welcome Wagon connections. 

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ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE APPRECIATED

Thank you for helping welcome our new neighbors!

A GROW PROGRAM INITIATIVE

This initiative is part of the statewide GROW network to help new and returning Vermonters find community and is funded by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development through the Department of Tourism and Marketing’s ThinkVermont initiative.

Regional Participating Programs

Find your local program below. 

If you do not see a participating program in your town or county, reach out to the GROW SoVermont program manager:

Rachel Shields Ebersole.

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Addison County

Imagine Addison County's GROW initiative is encouraging local residents to invite new (or returning) Vermonters in Addison County for a meal during the month of March, on us!

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Rutland County

Real Rutland is encouraging Rutland County locals to invite new Vermonters to join them for a meal in March, on us! 

Click here for more details.

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Deerfield Valley

Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber and BDCC are encouraging you to Invite a New Vermonter Out for a Meal in March.

Click to find more details about reimbursement and special restaurant deals that are part of the program. 

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Windham County

BDCC is encouraging you to Invite a New Vermonter Out for a Meal in March.

Click to find more details about reimbursement and special restaurant deals that are part of the program. 

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Northeast Kingdom

Contact us for 1-1 participation or Join us for one of our hosted NV meals during March around Orleans, Caledonia, and Essex counties. ​

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Upper Valley

GMEDC's Upper Valley Welcome Wagon is encouraging Orange & Windsor County locals to invite new Vermonters to join them for a meal in March, on us! 

Click here for more details.

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Randolph

Click here to find more details about the local restaurant partners and program details for the Randolph area. ​

© 2026 Vermont Welcome Wagon Project

DISCLAIMER
Because we do not supervise or control the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project (VWWP) interactions, and because we are not involved in any way with physical transportation to or from host/participant meetings or with the actions of any individuals at host/participant meetings, and because we cannot guarantee the true identity, age, nationality of VWWP users, and because we have very limited control, if any, over the quality, safety, morality, legality, truthfulness or accuracy of various aspects of VWWP users, you agree that you bear all risk and you agree to release us (and our officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, and third party partners) from claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, now and in the future, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of VWWP, our resolution of any disputes among users, and/or your transportation to or from, attendance at, or the actions of you or other persons at, a VWWP meet up. You further waive any and all rights and benefits otherwise conferred by any statutory or non-statutory law of any jurisdiction that would purport to limit the scope of a release or waiver. 

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