NH Food Bank Assisting Pantries During Coronavirus Outbreak

MANCHESTER, NH — New Hampshire's largest distributor of food to food banks has begun increasing purchases and creating mobile pantries in an effort to help those with food insecurity fed during the new coronavirus outbreak. Catholic Charities of New Hampshire's NH Food Bank began expanded its food purchasing last week due to an expected anticipated need and is working with agencies around the state to provide resources and find out what is needed. The charity has also set up a new website for donations and to keep employees, partners, and clients updated with information.

The food bank will host modified mobile food pantries where volunteers will drop-off food to a partner agency and that agency will handle direct distribution to those in need.

"We are already seeing an overall increase in orders and we are seeing a number of agencies that have not needed our resources in some time reaching out and placing orders for food," said Eileen Liponis, the executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. "With many people now out of work, coupled with families who typically depend on free and reduced school meals, we know the need is rising fast and we are taking every possible step to ensure we can provide food to those in need."

The food bank's kitchen has also doubled its meal production and is providing ready-to-eat meals to agencies including North Country Senior Meals, which is experiencing a shortage of staff and volunteers. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire is distributing meals from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord as well as their sites in Allenstown and Laconia.

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Liponis said it was a difficult time and the food bank knew that an individual's economic situation can change quickly.

"We want the public to know we are here as a resource for those in need," she said, "no matter what the circumstance."

Last year, the food bank distributed more than 14 million lbs. of food to its 425 partner agencies around the state.

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Franklin Savings Lends A Hand, Too

Franklin Savings Bank announced Wednesday that it has donated $9,500 to 19 local food pantries to keep their shelves stocked during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Each of the following pantries received $500: Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, Bread and Roses, and First Fruits Food Pantry in the Franklin area; Northfield-Tilton Congregational Church, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in the Tilton area; Gilford Got Lunch! Program, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, and Isiah 61 Café in the Gilford area; St. James United Methodist Church Food Pantry and St. Joseph Community Services Meals on Wheels in the Merrimack area; Bristol Community Services Food Pantry; Weare Food Pantry; Goffstown Network Food Pantry; New Horizons in Manchester; the Open Door Community Kitchen in Penacook; Boscawen Food Pantry; Friendly Kitchen in Concord; and Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.

"We are in the midst of a crisis that is having a significant impact on the lives of our customers and our communities," said Ron Magoon, the president and CEO of the bank. "With no definitive end in sight for this national pandemic, it is important for us to do our part to support those who are struggling with food insecurity during this greatest time of need."

What You Can Do To Stop The Spread

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so people should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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• NH Coronavirus: 108 Positive Cases; Bus Rider Exposure Reported
• NH Governor Calls For Volunteers To Help With Coronavirus
• Nashua High South Set Up With Medical Equipment
• Salem Liquor Company Begins Manufacturing Lemon Hand Sanitizer
• 2,417 In New Hampshire Tested In 3 Weeks For Coronavirus: Data

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