Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 8/30/2021 5:16:58 PM
The New Hampshire Food Bank is hosting a mobile food pantry in Rindge on Tuesday afternoon, in Hannaford parking lot.
The event is Aug. 31, from noon to 2 p.m., or as supplies last.
Nancy Mellit, director of development for the New Hampshire Food Bank, said the mobile food pantry is not a new program, but it has seen more use than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been doing mobile food pantries for quite some time, but historically, we would do between eight and 10 a year. In 2020, we were doing mobile food pantries three to five times a week,” Mellitt said.
The mobile food pantries are sponsored by businesses or individuals, so the rate they’re held depends on donations, Mellitt said. During the heightened need, more people helped to make sure the food got into the hands of those in need.
“It certainly was an increase,” Mellitt said. “Historically, prior to the pandemic, we would plan to feed about 230 families. For the mobile food pantries we did in 2020, we were seeing between 400 and 600 families.”
In 2020, the New Hampshire mobile food banks provided food to 84,000 individuals or 30,000 households, and distributed 3,902,712 pounds of food.
Mellitt said currently, the frequency of mobile food pantries has subsided from their pandemic height, but they are still being held about twice a week across the state, and are still distributing food at rates higher than prior to the pandemic.
“We’re still seeing pretty good demand,” Mellitt said.
During the mobile food pantry, both shelf-stable and fresh food will be distributed to individuals from Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The event is open to everyone, and there is no need for proof of residency or income. One vehicle can pick up food for up to three families.
The mobile food pantry is a drive-through event, and all items will be distributed to attendees while they are in their vehicles.
Other upcoming mobile food pantries include Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Comcast Corporate offices on 676 Island Pond Road in Manchester and on Sept. 28 at the Holman Stadium at 67 Amherst St., in Nashua from noon to 2 p.m.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar