Northern NH Supports its Residents with Food Distribution During COVID-19
When COVID-19 hit New Hampshire, Laura Boucher, Granite United Way's Northern Region Area Manager, immediately looked to see what she could do to help get food distributed locally. She partnered with the Feeding Hope Food Pantry and Community Cafe to assist the families in the region during the outbreak and mandatory shutdown. Both programs were adjusted to meet the increased needs and the restriction in-place by the governor's order.
The Feeding Hope Food Pantry
The Emergency Food Assistance Program has increased the income guideline requirements, resulting in a rise in the number of individuals receiving assistance through the Food Pantry. They are seeing more single people, childless couples, elderly, and grandparents in addition to the many families they serve since the COVID-19 crisis started. Feeding Hope Food Pantry has also reported getting local fresh fruit, produce and milk from the NH Food Bank, so that has been a huge benefit to the Pantry, along with the many donations that came in from people wanting to help during these unprecedented times.
The Community Cafe:
The weekly meals were adjusted to move from "dine in" style to "Drive up and carry out". The café has seen an increase in need, averaging 235 meals per week. Pre-pandemic, they averaged 70 meals per week. Granite United Way volunteers have stepped in to help with food preparation and distribution.
"The Feeding Hope Food Pantry and Community Café thank Granite United Way and Laura Boucher for their partnership to help the local community," said Pastor Rob. "Their financial, volunteer, and network support is unmatched and one of the main reasons we are even able to adjust to the increasing demand. We know that with partners like you, we will get through this and be better for it.”