Winter 2024 Newsletter
Greetings!

The 2023 Capital Region Food Program (CRFP) Holiday Project was successful again this year with a 25% increase in the number of families served; 500 additional families were assisted, making the total about 2100 families.
 
In 2022, CRFP piloted a new voucher format for the Holiday Project, and realized a 25% increase for that year. When asked why there has been such growth, CRFP Holiday Project Chair, Maria Manus Painchaud shares “the flexibility of the new model utilizing vouchers is truly more impactful. Families are able to select food items that meet their specific dietary requirements. Also, the ability for families to use the voucher after the holidays and in January provides additional flexibility and maximizes the benefits."

"Having the option of not only selecting the products but doing so during an extended timeframe of December 16th through January 31st, ensures families are getting what they need when they need it. Feedback from our partner agencies has been extremely positive and supportive. They also report that their clients are most grateful for this option.”
 
The 50th Holiday Project signifies CRFP's dedication to reducing hunger for those facing food insecurity in our community. These efforts would not be possible without the ongoing commitment of our many volunteers, contributors, agency partners and community supporters who helped feed approximately 7,000 individuals this holiday season.
 
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for your continued support!
 
Elena Alois, Chair                                      
Capital Region Food Program Board
Feeding Hope for Half a Century
On December 16th, CRFP volunteers distributed over 2,100 vouchers to local families in need. These vouchers were redeemable through January 31st at participating Market Basket locations, allowing families to choose specific food items based on their needs.
Community members helping community members
There are many wonderful, supportive, and committed businesses and organizations in the Greater Concord Area. With the CRFP’s 50th Holiday Project we wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU!!

It is impossible to identify every organization and company that has played a significant role in supporting this project over the years. We want to give a special shout out to those that have been involved in one capacity or another for over 40 years: City of Concord, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Concord, Lincoln Financial Foundation, NH National Guard.

We also want to say a special thank you to Market Basket, PW Pleasant View Gardens, Speedy Printing & Copying, our partner agencies, our satellite coordinators and satellite locations. You all make this project possible, and its impact is significant.

Over $130,000 worth of vouchers were redeemed between December 16, 2023, and January 31, 2024.
Haydin Simmons, NH's 2023 Kid Governor, volunteered to help distribute vouchers as part of the 2023 Holiday Project.
Mark Painchaud presented the CRFP with a $7,000 donation from Enterprise Mobility.
CRFP Chair, Elena Alois and CRFP Vice Chair, Tim Grotheer attended the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Holiday After Hours event, where a whopping $10,000 was raised on behalf of the CRFP!
Partner Highlight:
Havenwood-Heritage Heights' Angels of Hope
Photo: Holiday Project Chair, Maria Manus Painchaud and Havenwood-Heritage Heights President/CEO, Michael A. Palmieri. HHH staff, board members and residents donated nearly $8,000 to the CRFP in 2023.
Havenwood-Heritage Heights (HHH) has supported the Capital Region Food Program for over 15 years. What started out as a small initiative turned into the Havenwood-Heritage Heights’ Angels of Hope, where the residents, staff and administration donated food and funds to support the CRFP Holiday Project.

In 2020, when the CRFP could no longer accept food donations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HHH Angels of Hope continued supporting the CRFP Holiday Project with funds collected.

Since the start of the formal relationship, HHH has donated approximately 3 tons of food and over $100,000.
Year Round Distribution Project
2023 Summary

  • 23 partner agencies participated in the Year Round Distribution Project (YRDP) during calendar year 2023.
  • The most requested food items were corned beef hash, Spaghetti O's, baked beans and beef stew.
  • Over 3,320 cases of food were distributed, weighing more than 33 tons.
  • Total monetary value for food distributed as part of the YRDP in 2023 was more than $91,300
  • 2023 YRDP experienced a 65% increase in cost over 2022 YRDP, and a 32% increase in cases of food distributed.

The Year Round Distribution Project provides monthly supplemental food supplies to pantries and social service agencies, helping to supply about 5,000 meals per month to families in need of assistance. The project now represents over 40% of CRFP’s budget.

For more information on the YRDP project, and the partner agencies we serve, please visit our website.
Food Insecurity in NH
As of October 2023, 44% of adults and about half (52%) of New Hampshire children lived in households that reported having insufficient access to food.
Key factors impacting food insecurity include affordability and cost, limited transportation or mobility issues, and safety concerns.
Honoring CRFP Volunteers

The CRFP trustees would like to thank Kathy Bacon for her volunteer service to the organization.

Kathy joined the board in 2020 and was an active member of the Marketing and Technology committee. Kathy also served as liaison to the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce until her retirement from the Chamber in 2021.

Kathy is excited to spend more time with her grandchildren in the months ahead.

Thank you Kathy!
Fun Food Facts - NH Maple Syrup
There are are over 350 maple syrup producers in NH.

Maple syrup has the same calcium content as whole milk, and is rich in minerals such as potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.

On average, it takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup.
Tax Planning and Charitable Giving
Did you know a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA is another way to support the CRFP?

Talk to your tax professional to see if a QCD gifting strategy has a place in your annual giving plan.
NH Gives June 11th - 12th
The Capital Region Food Program is a registered nonprofit participating in the annual NH Gives event that will take place this summer, June 11th - 12th.

NH Gives is an initiative of the NH Center for Nonprofits, and is intended to help bring awareness to the many nonprofits doing great things in New Hampshire.
Capital Region Food Program
in the news...
Earlier this month, CRFP Chair, Elena Alois, and Holiday Project Chair, Maria Manus Painchaud, sat down with Josh Hardy, ConcordTV Executive Director, to share an update on Capital Region Food Program.
In November, the Capital Region Food Program was highlighted in the WMUR Spirt of Giving campaign.
This newsletter has been funded in full by a grant received from
The Oleonda Jameson Trust
Special Thanks from the CRFP for the continued support
Support Us
From the beginning, every dollar donated has been used for the purchase of food. This practice continues today with monies donated to the Capital Region Food Program. Your support is vital to our success. All gifts are tax-deductible within limits prescribed by law and all dollars donated to the Capital Region Food Program are used to purchase food. Administrative costs and fees are underwritten.