The Goffstown Edge

Grow A Row And Fight Hunger in Goffstown

The National Association of Letter Carriers "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive

Saturday, May 12, The National Association of Letter Carriers "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive, the largest single-day food drive in the country.  Even though it is a national drive, all proceeds from Goffstown and Dunbarton go to the Goffstown Network Food Pantry, which serves both communities.  We are looking for the donation of non-perishable foods to be left out by the mail boxes.  Volunteers will fan out along the same routes as the postal carriers in the morning, to help the carriers collect the food, so we are looking for the food to be out early. 

Dave Greiner
Goffstown Network

Packing Thanksgiving Boxes on Friday for Goffstown Network Food Pantry

Goffstown Network President Dave Greiner gives packing directions to Goffstown resident Jim Buckless, who attended the event with his daughter, Allison and her Girl Scout Troop

Kate Misiorski was part of the group from Mt View Rebels Basketball who came to pack food boxes.

erry Spiller is a Goffstown resident who says, "I come every year, it's just fun."

Goffstown Network 2011 Annual Meeting

The Goffstown Network met for their Annual Meeting on Tuesday evening, discussing the achievements of 2011 and presenting three important awards to volunteers.

  According to Network President Dave Greiner, “2011 was a very, very busy year for us.”  Although the program ended fiscal year 2010-2011 with a net increase of nearly $2,000, Greiner pointed out that, “This year we faced three of the busiest months in the history of the Network, especially April due to the rise of fuel costs.”

Stepping into the challenge, the Food Pantry now has six freezers and three fridges.  Although the NH Food Bank relocated to a much more distant spot, the Network volunteers continued to make the trip three times a week, emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables according to USDA standards for proper nutrition.   It became apparent during the year that the NH Food Bank was unable to meet the growing needs in the Goffstown and New Boston communities, so the decision was made to switch to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

This switch will likely place an administrative burden on the Network volunteers but, says Greiner, “This change is going to stabilize our finances and better help our clientele.”  New volunteers are needed to help re-qualify all the Network participants.

The volunteers currently working with the Network place all their faith in the Goffstown and New Boston communities.  Says Doug Doster, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, “The community is just so incredible!”  Greiner agrees, “We have such a great community here and they have been so supportive of us.”  It was noted in the Annual Report that all four local schools, many businesses, the Goffstown Library, and dozens of individuals contributed to the Network throughout the year, especially in honor of Roger Sarette.

The first Roger Sarette Award for Youth Volunteer Service was awarded to 2010 GHS Grad Ryan Emerson.  “He is a super kid,” says long-time volunteer Richard Wood.  Volunteering for over four years, Emerson attends Manchester Community College as an Electrical Technology student, and continues to work at the Network Pantry because, he says, “You feel good about yourself when you do something for someone else.”

The Jack Kilmartin Award for Volunteering Excellence went to Roger Fortier, and the Lloyd Green Humanity Achievement Award went to St. Lawrence Church.  Receiving the award for St. Lawrence were Aline and John Perreault and Ann Freeman.  “When God is good to you its good to be able to give back.  When you can’t give money, you give time,” explained Mrs. Freeman. 
The Goffstown Network is actively looking for new volunteers who have a variety of skills.  Please email Dave Greiner at dgreiner3115@comcast.net, or call 785-9988 if you would like to get involved.

Goffstown Network Says Thank You

  I wanted to take a moment to say thanks to some of the organizations and individuals in town who have extended a helping hand the last few months.  It has been another very busy year for us at the Goffstown Network Food Pantry.  Luckily for us, we have the support of these folks and of a very generous community.
     For the third year in a row now, the athletic department at Goffstown High School used home basketball games as an opportunity to help us.  During halftime, members of the spirit squad would “pass the hat” to help raise money for our organization.  This program, sponsored by the NHIAA Basketball committee, raised almost $10,000 statewide for local pantries, and $445 on our behalf.  Thanks to Principal Frank McBride, Athletic Director Steve Fountain, and especially to the members of the spirit squad for what they did for us.
     During the month of February, the Goffstown Public Library donated all late fees to Network.  Dianne Hathaway and the folks at the Library do an incredible job there on behalf of our entire community.  We are very grateful to them for all that they do and for their generosity to our food pantry.
     As they have every year, Goffstown Junior Baseball held a can drive during their opening day parade.  It is a very busy time for them, yet they still manage to take the time to include us in their festivities.  Many thanks to President Mike Santoro and all the folks at the Goffstown Junior Baseball Organization. 
     This year some families brought what they did at the Little League level with them to the Babe Ruth level.  Thanks to Brenda Barss, Jane Steckowych and Kristin Shaw for coordinating a can drive during the leagues “Skill Day”.  For an organization with relatively few players, they managed to collect a tremendous amount of food.
     And last, but not least, on May 14th the Goffstown Branch of the Post Office participated in the annual National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive.  This is the largest single day food drive anywhere in our nation.  Thanks to the Letter Carriers and Rural Drivers, we were able to collect 4000 pounds of food items, over 700 pounds more than last year. Ten teams of volunteer drivers fanned out in the morning to help the postal workers collect the food.  The postal workers do this voluntarily, and in addition to their regular delivery chores.  We can’t thank them enough for their hard work.  I would like to say a special thanks to Dave Grant, who coordinates this drive at the Goffstown Post Office every year.
     Of course, the efforts of all these fine individuals and organizations would be wasted were it not for the incredible generosity of our community.  They are the ones who filled the hat at basketball games; they are the families who brought food out to the baseball parade and practice session; and they are the ones who left tons of food out by their mail boxes.  We are currently assisting close to 500 individuals monthly at our food pantry.  This is only possible thanks to the support and generosity of our community.  On behalf of all of us at the Goffstown Network, thank you!

David Greiner, President
Goffstown Network

Post Office Supports Goffstown Network Food Pantry on May 14th

On Saturday, May 14th, the U.S. Postal Service employees will be holding their annual nationwide food drive to benefit local aid organizations.
 
National Association of Letter Carriers Drive
Saturday, May 14th

the National Association of Letter Carriers runs their annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive.  All food collected goes to the Goffstown Network Food Pantry.  This drive is the largest single-day food drive in our nation, and is critical to helping the pantry get through the summer. If you are interested in donating non-perishable food or personal care items, please place them in a bag and leave by your mail box by 9 AM that morning.  Pantry volunteers or Postal carriers will be by to pick them up. Thank you for
your generosity!

Dave Greiner, President
Goffstown Network

Hoops for Hunger Scores for Goffstown Network Food Pantry

Recently, as they have the last two years previous, the Goffstown High School Athletic Department, led by Director Steve Fountain, participated in the "Hoops for Hunger" Program, in which a hat was passed during half time of home boys and girls basketball games, seeking to raise money for the Goffstown Network Food Pantry.  This year they raised $445.  Pictured above at the check presentation from left to right are: Page Tuttle, member of the Girls Varsity Team; David Greiner, President, Goffstown Network Food Pantry; Rebeka Raven, member of the Varsity Winter Spirit Squad; and Ryan Lange, Varsity Boys Basketball Team.  The  ‘Hoops for Hunger’ is an initiative sponsored by the NHIAA basketball committee.  

Over the course of three high school basketball seasons the initiative has helped raise over $28,000 for local food pantries throughout  the state and $9,546 this season.
The Goffstown Network is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit community food pantry serving Goffstown, Dunbarton and New Boston.  For more information call them at 497-3433, or check out their website at www.goffstown network.org.

Goffstown Network Says Thank You

The Goffstown Network food pantry recently concluded our Holiday Food Program with the Christmas giveaway on December 17th and 18th, handing out food baskets to more than 220 families in our community.  To be able to accomplish such an ambitious feat, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to a number of people, businesses and organizations in our community.  While there are simply too many to mention in one letter, I wanted to take the time to say “thank you” to as many as I could. 
     To our regular volunteers, who devote much time, talent and energy to seeing these programs through: Holiday Program Coordinators Kristen Shaw and Julie Greiner; Treasurer Barbara Herman; Secretary Sue Yost; Vice President Dick Wood and his wife Pauline; Volunteer Coordinator Dallas Lavigne and her husband Ron; and Purchasers Roger Fortier, Jeff and Joan Stevens, and Eric Woudenberg.  Without their tireless efforts, none of this would happen. 
     To the many folks who also made significant contributions, whether in time, building space, vehicle assistance, food donations or other:  Guy and Maureen Camire; Joe and Sandy Piccione; Steve and Julie Grandgeorge; Paul Nault; Barbara Carbonneau; Fr. Gerry Bertin and the St. Lawrence Catholic Church Community; Frank Tibbetts and The Masons; Larry Brown and Karen Henderson of Goffstown True Value  Hardware; Rick Simons; Ron Deslisle; Doug Doster; John Denoncourt and Sully’s Super Market; Dan and Lea Devriendt, owners of Devriendt Farms; Jason Aguirry and Anheiser Busch. 
     The area schools have a tradition of conducting food drives in the days before Thanksgiving.  We are used to being wowed by what they were able to collect, and this year was no different.  Thank you to the administration, faculty, staff, the students and their families of the following schools: Mountain View Middle School; Maple Ave and Bartlet Elementary Schools; Glen Lake School; The Villa; New Morning School; and Goffstown High School.  The high school conducts their drive prior to Christmas.  We are used to seeing the high school community collect and donate a tremendous amount of food and money in what has become one of the largest food drives anywhere in our state. This past year was no exception; the student coordinators seemed particularly motivated and organized.  Special thanks to GHS faculty members (and Student Council advisors) Corinne Dionne and Erin McKinnon; to Katie McKay and all the student drive chairs and co-chairs, and to the Student Council, for their hard work on our behalf. MORE

Volunteers Needed for Holiday Food Program

The Goffstown Network Food Pantry will start this year's Christmas Holiday Food Program on Friday, December 17.

Membes of the community interested in helping may come to St. Lawrence Church on Union Street in Goffstown at 6:30 p.m., where volunteers will pack boxes for distribution to clients.

The following morning, Saturday, December 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. also at St. Lawrence, volunteers will help haul boxes and other items out to waiting cars.

The Friday eventing event is open to all who would like to help.  If you are interested in helping Saturday morning, contact Dallas Lavigne, Network Volunteer Coordinator, at 497-8944; or President Dave Greiner at 497-3115.

Community Food Pantries Head Into Holiday

  Community food pantries are now actively asking for donations to provide holiday meals  for the hundreds of needy families in Hopkinton, Weare, Goffstown, Dunbarton and New Boston.

Weare Food Pantry is located at the Weare Middle School on Route 114.  The pantry is open on Wednesday nights from 5-7 pm, and is staffed by a group of volunteers including Cindy Hoekstra, Sandra Breault, Lynne Carrara and Phyllis Townsend.  Director Peggy Bailey explains that, “Everything is donated from the community and the entire program is run by volunteers.  All the money raised at the Weare Community Thrift Shop goes to support the Food Pantry.”  The Weare pantry serves 45 families including nearly 50 children.  Supported completely by the community, Bailey says, “The community is awesome.  They go above and beyond!”  Weare residents can call 529-2572 for more information or to donate to their Hat-Coat-Mitten Drive.

The Hopkinton Food Pantry is also open on Wednesday nights, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the lower level of the Slusser Senior Center at 41 Houson Drive in Contoocook.  Resident’s are asked to call Marilyn at 746-5729.  “We are always looking for cereal, and any kind of substantial food such as peanut butter, hearty soups, and tuna fish,” she says.  “We’re getting ready for the holidays right now.”  The Hopkinton pantry typically feeds 60 families, with more expected for Thanksgiving.

New Boston Community Church has established a Food Pantry for New Boston residents.  Residents can call 487-2160 and speak with Reverend Woodland for an appointment, or to drop off donations.  Currently the NB pantry is requesting macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, canned fruits, meats and pasta, peanut butter, jelly, soups, and personal care items.  If you would like to send a cash donation, checks can be sent to Kathy Conk-Ryder, Tacy Corbett, or Reverend Woodland in care of the church, Central Square, New Boston NH 03070.

The Goffstown Network Food Pantry is located at 7 North Mast Street next to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.  The pantry is open on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 pm, and Saturday mornings from 10 am until noon.  Network President David Grenier said, “ As we go into this holiday season, the Goffstown Network has faced unprecedented, unrelenting requests for help the the last two and a half years.  The past several months the situation seems to have worsened, though we are not sure why.  The Goffstown Network serves the communities of Goffstown, Dunbarton and New Boston.  The people, churches, businesses and civic organizations of these communities have always supported us well.  If the current trend keeps up, which I imagine it will with the heating season approaching, we are going to continue to need lots of help.”  Proof of residence is required to shop at the pantry, in the form of a utility or phone bill.  If you would like to make a donation, you may leave food in the donation box at Hannaford or Shaws in Pinardville and at St. Matthew’s, or call 497-3433.  Checks made out to the Goffstown Network can be mailed to the 7 N. Main St. location.  Donations can easily be made via Paypal on the Network web site, www.goffstownnetwork.org.

Goffstown Harvest Christian Church opens their Food Pantry on Saturdays from 9-11 am.  Located at 711 Mast Road in the old Jutras Sign building, the pantry is available to church members attending for a minimum of 6 months.  Serving over 200 families, the pantry receives donations from local markets and from the community.  Dramatically discounted produce and necessities are available, as well as free items.  15 families volunteer throughout the month, including Naomi, Sarah, and Abby Cox.  “It’s how we volunteer for our church,” they explained, as they kept busy stocking boxes of grapes and pears.  Donations can be made by calling Jerry St. Jean at 391-5741.