Vermont Nonprofits Expanded Wood Bank Operations

Organizations across Vermont have increased efforts to provide free firewood to families amid rising fuel costs.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of neatly stacked firewood logs against a simplified mountain backdrop, representing regional fuel support initiatives. — Vermont nonprofits have increased efforts to process and distribute free firewood to households struggling with significant winter heating costs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Local nonprofits in Vermont are ramping up efforts to provide free firewood as residents face significant heating costs. With the price of a cord of wood reaching $500, volunteers have mobilized to process and deliver supplies to those in need.

Why it matters

High labor requirements and increasing prices have created barriers for many households to source their own fuel. For some families, firewood serves as an essential primary heat source or a critical backup during cold winter months.

Approximately one-third of Vermont households use cordwood for heat, with nearly two-thirds of those relying on it as their primary source. With a cord of wood now costing $500, nonprofits like Wood4Good and United Way provide up to 65 cords annually to supplement local needs.

The players

United Way of Lamoille County

This regional organization manages annual firewood distribution programs to support residents during the winter.

Wood4Good

Founded in 2019, this nonprofit focuses on donating and delivering firewood to households in need.

Vermont Warm Hearts

This group provides emergency firewood delivery services specifically to families living in Lamoille and Windsor counties.

Vermont Department for Children and Families

This state agency oversees the distribution of fuel assistance benefits to eligible households throughout Vermont.

The details

Volunteers across Vermont organize collaborative workdays to process donated logs into firewood for delivery. These groups coordinate through shared meetings to maximize resources and ensure emergency supplies reach vulnerable families between Lamoille and Windsor counties.

Vermont households burned over 400,000 cords of wood during the 2018-2019 heating season.
The Wood4Good nonprofit launched in 2019 to begin firewood distribution efforts.
The Vermont Department for Children and Families issued fuel benefits to under 2,000 households in 2023.
Last year, Vermont Warm Hearts delivered emergency wood to 20 families in Lamoille and Windsor counties.
Wood banks are preparing for the upcoming 2026 winter season.

Market Landscape

The expansion of community-led firewood banks complements the formal safety net provided by the Vermont Department for Children and Families fuel assistance program. By pooling volunteer labor and private donations, these groups fill critical gaps left by state benefit limitations.

Residents struggling with heating costs may contact local wood banks to inquire about available firewood assistance programs. Families should prepare for the upcoming winter season by evaluating their fuel needs early, given the high cost of market-rate cordwood.

The takeaway

Reliable access to firewood remains a vital survival factor for many households during Vermont winters. Households are encouraged to connect with local resource networks before extreme temperatures arrive to ensure they have adequate heating supplies.