The Goffstown Edge

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.

Bowling For Fuel

Goffstown Clergy Association Winter Crisis Fund

            The Goffstown Clergy Association Outreach Committee will sponsor its “Super Roll” to raise money for the Goffstown Fuel Assistance Fund, on Saturday February 6, at 1 pm.  This annual event will be held at King’s Bowling Lanes, 751 Mast Road, in Pinardville.  It consists of three strings of bowling with participants securing sponsors for the fuel fund.  Sponsor forms may be obtained from your church office.  The cost per person is $11.00.
            The Goffstown Clergy Association is comprised of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Community, Goffstown Christian Fellowship, Hillside United Methodist Church, The Congregational Church of Goffstown, Shiloh Church, and Goffstown Harvest Church.  All Goffstown area parishes are invited to join this event. Get your sponsor forms early!
            Please contact Barbara Carbonneau for information at 497-3295.