More Than $13,000 Donated to the New Hampshire Food Bank

MANCHESTER, NH — The Bedford Knights of Columbus and members of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Bedford recently joined together to raise $13,660 during their 2016 Turkey Drive to support the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, according to a press statement. The Bedford Knights of Columbus, Council 12988, spearheaded the food drive, which generated contributions from the parish community of St. Elizabeth Seton Church and several other organizations and businesses.

The 2016 Turkey Drive raised $13,600 in donations and approximately 20,000 pounds of food.

"The Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth Seton parish in Bedford are extremely pleased that we were once again able to provide this very large donation to the NH Food Bank,” said Michael Pitaro, grand knight of Council 12988. “I am very proud of the council members and parishioners who donated to this worthy cause.”

The Bedford Knights of Columbus began supporting the NH Food Bank more than 10 years ago by donating a few turkeys and the effort has grown considerably. Over the past seven years, the campaign has raised more than $72,000 to help meet the holiday food needs in New Hampshire. Msgr. John Quinn, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton and chaplain of the Bedford Knights of Columbus, was instrumental in the initial launch of the NH Food Bank and continues to be a tireless supporter.

“The NH Food Bank is extremely thankful to the Knights of Columbus Council 12988, St. Elizabeth Seton and Msgr. Quinn, the Bedford Rotary, Bedford Dental, VFW 8401 and others for their continued generosity and support,” said Nancy Mellitt, director of development for the NH Food Bank. “On a daily basis, more than 140,000 men, women and children go hungry in New Hampshire. Partnerships like this are critical in helping us feed people in need.”

“We are very pleased that the parish and our parishioners were able to reach out to the NH Food Bank through the Knights of Columbus to help this worthy cause in their mission to address the issue of hunger in our communities,” added Msgr. John Quinn.

During 2015, the NH Food Bank distributed more than 12 million pounds of food, which marks an increase of 55-percent over the past four years. This year, because of the growing demand, the NH Food Bank expects to distribute more than 13 million pounds of food.

For more information and to donate, visit nhfoodbank.org.

Submitted by Nancy Mellitt.