articles

Food Resource Guide for Southern NH 2022

Local events & resources for those in need and those who can help in Greater Derry

By Karyn Martin, Publisher, & Casey Feins, Intern, Macaroni KID Derry November 2, 2022

Food insecurity in New Hampshire is real. Shockingly, 1 in 9 children don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We need your help. Struggling? You are not alone.

We have compiled a list of resources in the Greater Derry Area for anyone who may need assistance and for those who wish to help. 

Now more than ever, community is so important. Remember to take care of each other and yourselves.



Food Resource- Related Events in Greater Derry

Everywhere

Sun. Nov 13th-Dec 10th - Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger

Starting November 13 through December 10, for every participating product you buy, we'll donate 50¢* to your regional food bank. Look for the shelf tags in-store on participating products 

Pelham 

All Holiday Season- Good Neighbor Fund Annual Holiday Drive 


RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE BY TOWN 

Clicking on the pink text will take you to the corresponding town website or food pantry website, where you can find more information! Please double check with the organizations to make sure their hours and other information are still the same.  

If there’s a listing in and around the Greater Derry area that we missed, please let us know! Email us at karynm@macaronikid.com

If you are able to, consider helping out these organizations that do so much good for your community!

AUBURN:

Tower Hill Church hosts a food pantry every Saturday from 7:00AM-8:30AM. Though it’s located in Auburn, it serves the entire county of Rockingham! 

Auburn Food Bank offers food bank services, community dinners, food delivery and more for those in the Auburn School District area. 

CONCORD:

This website has an extensive list of food pantries and soup kitchens located in Concord, as well as their hours and contact information! 

DERRY:

The Derry town website has compiled a list of local food resources and their contact information! There, you can look into the free meals network for the Greater Derry Area, apply for food benefits, and get immediate assistance from local organizations in and around Derry. 

HAMPSTEAD:

Hampstead's town website has listings of food assistance in and around Hampstead. It lists how to apply for benefits, where to get immediate assistance, and the schedules of the organizations in the area. 

LONDONDERRY:

The Londonderry Baptist Church runs a food pantry a half an hour before every service or by appointment.

The St. Jude Parish has a by-appointment food pantry that serves all of Londonderry!

Clarity Community Connections has a community cupboard that offer a wide selection of non perishables and handmade soaps to those who struggle with food scarcity 

End 68 Hours of Hunger is a non profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in children by hosting and sponsoring events to fight this crisis

MANCHESTER:

Here is a list of food pantries compiled on the Manchester town website. There are both religious organizations and non-denominational options available, as well as an option exclusively for veterans!

Mobile food pantries, which operate similarly to drive-thrus, are also in the Manchester area! Be sure to regularly check here for updates and schedules.

NASHUA:

Here is a compilation of food pantries, shelters, and other resources all throughout Nashua! It contains contact information, addresses, and specifics about the services available. As always, be sure to check with the organizations to see if there have been any changes! 

PELHAM:

St. Patrick Food Pantry is open Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 pm and is located at the edge of the back parking lot on the parish campus at 12 Main Street in Pelham. More information, including details about the application process, is available on their website!

New England Pentecostal Ministries’s Minister Jacqueline Creary (603-943-6091) runs a food pantry by appointment for Pelham residents! (If you live in Nashua and this location works for you, you can stop by Monday and Thursday 12PM-2PM.)

PLAISTOW:

Plaitstow’s town website has a food and nutrition page, which includes details about local food pantries (including Holy Angel’s Food Pantry in Plaistow), how to get food stamps, and other important links. 

PORTSMOUTH:

Gather has fresh produce available to members once a month, as well as access to cooking materials and personal care items! Not a member? Community Fridays are open to everyone in need of assistance. Check their site for hours and to see how to become a member (if you choose)! 

Operation Blessing operates Wednesday through Friday, 10AM-4PM. They have a bunch of different food categories, including fresh produce! 

Seacoast Community Church's Food Pantry provides groceries via appointment! Just call and leave a message with your name and phone number and someone will schedule a time for you to pick up your food!

SALEM:

"Food for the Hungry" Food Pantry of the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church is open on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. Picking up your food is curbside and contactless! 

SANDOWN:

Though there may not be many food pantries in Sandown, the town website still has a page for nearby food assistance! Locations include Nashua, Derry, Salem, and more! 

WINDHAM:

Shepherd's Pantry, Inc. operates every Monday from 9:30-11AM. Their website has more details about hours of operation and about how to receive assistance during COVID-19.  

We encourage retail-sized food donations (i.e. the sizes of items you’d pick up at your local grocery store for your family). Donations are distributed to individuals and families, so bulk items, such as very large bags of rice, beans, etc., are difficult to distribute.





ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND HOW TO HELP

Want to help? Consider donating your time, money, or food. Below is a list of websites that help you get started. You can find local food banks, donate online, volunteer, and more!

Feeding America is a wonderful resource for those in need and those who want to help. Here are some quick links from their website to get started.

Find a local food bank: Find Your Local Food Bank

Learn about hunger in America: Hunger in America is growing 

Learn more about hunger in your community: Hunger in New Hampshire 

Help those in your community: Take Action

Did we miss a resource that you think would benefit your community? Let us know! Send us an email at karynm@macaronikid.com


-----------------

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!

Love this guide? Want more like it and to get the latest on local Greater Derry area events? Subscribe HERE to receive our free, weekly Macaroni Kid Derry newsletter in your inbox every Thursday morning. Our goal is to bring you all of the best family-friendly events, activities, and businesses in our area. We proudly serve the towns of Derry, Londonderry, Hampstead, East Hampstead, Windham, Salem, Chester, Candia, Atkinson, Auburn, Sandown, Pelham and Plaistow! Contact us anytime (karynm@macaronikid.com) with your ideas, event listings, and suggestions. Have a small business and want to reach thousands of local families? Advertise with us!