In an effort to carry the spirit of goodwill into the new year, Volunteer NH announces the statewide Martin Luther King Food Drive, which will run through Jan. 15. Food collected during this time will follow the holiday seasonal food drives and help replenish dwindling supplies at local pantries throughout the state.
The MLK Food Drive is one of hundreds of activities that cities and states throughout the country are organizing to honor Dr. King's legacy of service. This initiative is a partnership among Volunteer NH, United Ways of New Hampshire, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and local organizations and businesses that are hosting food collection sites.
Food assistance donation programs are facing increased demand and pressure as more people seek help during the holidays and year-round. During its first year of operation, 2-1-1 NH, the statewide information and referral service, fielded 987 calls related to food assistance. Food was the most-often searched subject on 211nh.org from June 2008 to June 2009.
“The needs of New Hampshire citizens have increased and unfortunately donations to food pantries have declined,” said Volunteer NH's executive director Tim Dupre. “The Martin Luther King Food Drive offers an opportunity for New Hampshire's strong volunteer base and compassionate citizens to overcome this challenge and combat hunger in the Granite State.” With more than 60,000 people seeking food assistance in New Hampshire each year, it is clear that hunger doesn't stop after the holidays.
For information regarding the food drive and collection locations, contact Kara Swedlow at 271-7211 or vista@volunteernh.org.
