Make A Difference In Concord: Where To Give Back This November

CONCORD, NH — Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 1 this year, but you don't have to wait until then to make a difference close to home.

Throughout November, local nonprofits, food pantries, animal rescues, community organizations and other groups are looking for donations, volunteers and other forms of support. Whether you have a few hours to give, items to donate or simply want to support a local cause financially, there are plenty of ways to help.

Patch rounded up organizations and opportunities to give back in and around Concord. Needs and volunteer opportunities can change, so check directly with each organization for the latest information.

Here are some ways to make a difference in Concord this November:

The Friendly Kitchen

The Friendly Kitchen, at 2 S. Commercial St., is Concord’s only soup kitchen, serving meals to anyone who is hungry. It also prepares meals for local families through its Family Friendly Meals program.

The kitchen accepts sealed food donations, both perishable and non-perishable, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It does not accept clothing. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 373, and the kitchen relies on volunteers to help prepare and serve meals.

Learn more about donating to The Friendly Kitchen.

Friends of Forgotten Children

Friends of Forgotten Children is a volunteer-driven provider of food, clothing and holiday gifts for low-income and at-risk residents. It has served the greater Concord area since 1972.

Through its Christmas Star program, the group collects and distributes gifts for children from birth to age 18. Businesses and community groups can adopt a child’s gift wish or run a gift drive by emailing ChristmasStars@fofcnh.org.

The organization’s website also points to Amazon wish lists with Thanksgiving food items and Christmas gifts. It accepts nonperishable food, hygiene items and new clothing or toys during operating hours, Tuesday through Thursday. From October through January, it is not taking gently used clothing or household items.

Learn more about volunteering with Friends of Forgotten Children.

Concord Coalition to End Homelessness

Founded in 2008, the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness operates a resource center and an emergency winter shelter, and it helps newly housed clients get settled.

Its donate-items page lists high-need items including packaged soft snacks, bread, bottled water, travel-size shampoo and conditioner, new men’s boxers and women’s underwear, and City of Concord purple trash bags. It also links to wish lists. Volunteers can help at the resource center or winter shelter, serve on committees, assist at events or become community mentors for recently housed clients (18 and older).

Learn more about volunteering with the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness.

Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County

Animal lovers can support the Pope Memorial SPCA, an independent, nonprofit shelter at 94 Silk Farm Road that cares for homeless pets. The shelter also runs a pet food pantry for families facing financial hardship.

Donations are accepted during walk-in hours or in the bin at the main entrance. The shelter also has a wish list and a foster program. Volunteers receive training, and orientations require pre-registration.

Learn more about volunteering at the Pope Memorial SPCA.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central and Northern New Hampshire

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central and Northern New Hampshire serve Concord-area children through the Bradley Street Clubhouse and school-based sites, with afterschool programs and summer camps.

Volunteers can help with special events or with activities such as athletics, food service, book reading, music and visual arts. Anyone working with children must complete a background check and online training. One-time and monthly donations are also accepted.

Learn more about volunteering with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Friends Program

Located on Pembroke Road, The Friends Program has worked since 1975 to support at-risk youth, families and seniors. Its work includes youth mentoring, shelter for homeless families and volunteer programs for older adults.

Adults 18 and older can become one-on-one or group youth mentors in Merrimack County. Volunteers over 55 can be matched with community needs through the program’s senior volunteer network. Donations can be made online or by mail.

Learn more about volunteering with The Friends Program.

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Headquartered in Concord, the Forest Society is a nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1901.

Its volunteer opportunities include group trail workdays through the Forest Society Conservation Corps and a Land Steward program that trains volunteers to care for forest reservations. Groups can also arrange to volunteer with advance notice.

Learn more about volunteering with the Forest Society.

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties

Based in Concord, Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties runs the Horseshoe Pond Place Senior Resource Center at 26 Commercial St. Its Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to older adults and adults with disabilities in Belknap and Merrimack counties.

Volunteers can help at its food pantries and with monthly Emergency Food Assistance Program distributions at its Concord warehouse. They can also help deliver supplemental food boxes to homebound seniors or assist with senior center meals. Contact the Concord office at (603) 228-6956.

Learn more about volunteering with CAPBM.

This isn't an exhaustive list of organizations doing good work in and around Concord. Donation needs, volunteer opportunities and hours can change, so check directly with an organization for the latest information before donating or volunteering.

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