A recent report issued on the New Hampshire Food Bank's critical food shortage this summer sparked the initiative of 12-year-old Patrick Regan of Merrimack to create “Patrick's Super Food Bank Project.”
The goal to collect food and help the food bank was brought to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center by Patrick's mother, Kathleen Regan, director of development at the center.
“My son, Patrick, saw a feature story on WMUR-TV about the shortage of food at the New Hampshire Food Bank and that the supply was at its lowest level in 25 years,” said Kathleen. “The segment scanned all the shelves and they were empty. Patrick got very upset about kids not having food, asking, 'How will the children get food to eat?' He jumped up, ran to the table and started making a poster showing pictures with kids saying 'I need food', the Food Bank saying 'We're out of food' and Patrick saying 'I have food for you' and 'Give food, you can make a difference'.”
The segment inspired Patrick to make a colorful collection box. His mother decided to bring it to the discovery center and ask coworkers to help Patrick's cause. The project has taken off with tremendous success. “I have always told [Patrick] that one person can truly make a difference,” said Kathleen. “We hope that lots of people visiting the discovery center will make a difference too.”
A collection box is located inside the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center by the front desk. Each visitor who participates in “Patrick's Super Food Bank Project” by bringing in a nonperishable food item to the center during September will receive $1 off the general admission fee. And if a visitor brings in two items, the visitor will also receive a discount on purchases at the center's Science Store.
For more information about the center, visit starhop.com.
