NH Food Bank encourages most-needed donations

Eagle Times Staff
MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, is asking residents and businesses to act against hunger in the Granite State as food insecurity numbers are rising.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Household Food Security Report for 2022, an estimated 6.2 percent of New Hampshire residents experienced food insecurity from 2020 to 2022. The data shows an increase from 2021, when the USDA estimated that 5.4 percent of New Hampshire residents experienced food insecurity, based on data collected from 2019 to 2021. The report is available at tinyurl.com/yjzc8wrh.

According to the USDA report, 44 million people are living in food-insecure households in the United States, including 13 million children. The report, released this fall, demonstrates about 10 million more people are food insecure now compared to 2021.

“While New Hampshire’s food insecurity numbers remain lower than the national average, we believe any increase means action is needed, especially as we enter the winter season,” says Eileen Liponis, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “It is imperative we continue our work here at the New Hampshire Food Bank to ensure we are always working toward our goal of eliminating hunger in New Hampshire. We want to encourage all residents and businesses to participate in our programming and to continue to donate and volunteer through the holiday season and beyond.”

This winter the New Hampshire Food Bank is asking individuals and businesses to consider donating some of its “Most Needed Items” and to participate in its wide variety of programming and events, such as food drives happening throughout the state. A list of the Food Bank’s “Most Needed Items” can be found at tinyurl.com/yc476mpm.

Residents can also help support the Food Bank’s mission by making monetary donations, as the Food Bank is purchasing 39 percent of the food it distributes. For every $1 donated, 95 cents support the Food Bank’s programming.

Additionally, the New Hampshire Food Bank welcomes volunteers to support their efforts. In 2022, New Hampshire Food Bank volunteers contributed a combined 23,286 volunteer hours, which was the equivalent of 11 full-time employees.

The New Hampshire Food Bank distributes nutritious food and resources to New Hampshire residents in need. In 2022, as the state’s only Food Bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank procured and provided more than 16 million pounds of non-perishable food items, fresh produce, and meats to more than 400 nonprofit food agencies in all corners of New Hampshire.

Learn more about the New Hampshire Food Bank’s programming and services here.