Providing nutritious food to those in need.

Our clients are households of those who are temporarily out of work or handicapped, the retired poor and those unable to provide adequately for themselves. Many receive Food Stamps but find this resource does not provide the necessary groceries and essentials for an entire month. In 2015, 14,503 times, families and individuals came to the Food Shelf for help with food. Most families came multiple times during the year. No one is turned away.  These many families and their multiple visits represented 56,099 individuals served.  We also provided 1,028 Thanksgiving dinner boxes last year. In 2015 we accepted approximately 110 referrals from Connecticut Valley Home Care, Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services of Charlestown, Claremont Health and Human Services, churches, schools, and doctors’ offices.  Individuals also make referrals.

Our food is purchased through a number of resources including the NH Food Bank, The Discount Food Warehouse, Mr. G’s of Walpole, Claremont Wal-Mart, Ralph’s Grocery of Charlestown and Cheeseco of New England. Some donations of food are received from Bouyea-Fasetts Bakers, Price Chopper and the Walpole Shaw’s Store, as well as local gardeners, farmers and others.  We also receive bi-monthly distributions of government surplus food. Local church groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H, and schools conduct food collection services. Direct purchases of food supplies are also procured with cash donations made annually by a number of public and private foundations such as the NH Charitable Trust and individuals. We are almost entirely supported by the local people, churches, businesses, and organizations.

The quality of life, the health of our clients and the social impact on our communities is directly enhanced because our young students go to school properly nourished, because our aged poor have access to essential food and staples, and because the displaced and out of work or low income parent can provide the means to nurture their families with shared meals. The social interaction of our clients with our staff also provides an opportunity to check on their well being, providing us the ability to refer our clients to other social services in the area.