You may ask yourself why we need funds to operate. While we do get some things for free or for discounted rates, food pantries and most non-profits do not get everything for free.  Just like any other business, we need money to stay open and keep operating.

Loudon Food Pantry has one full time paid person on salary that runs the pantry, keeps the volunteers informed and busy, and make sure all tasks are done in a consistent manner.  She is here five days per week and often works more than 40 hours per week.  Everyone else is volunteer.  Volunteers are the backbone of any non-profit.

The food pantry needs approximately $91 per day to keep running ($2,756 per month).  These expenses are included in that figure: supplies (labels for labeling guns, produce bags, ink cartridges, paper, pens, etc.) labeling guns, money to purchase food, fundraising expenses, postage, dues and memberships, website hosting, payroll, workman’s comp. insurance, general liability insurance, telephone, internet, repairs on equipment and/or shelves, etc.

We are extremely fortunate that Dave and Tracy Huckins (our landlords) donate the spaces that we use for our pantry.  This means we have no rent, heating, or electric we need to budget for.  Thank you,  Dave and Tracy for being so generous!

So, there will always be a need for funds.

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We’ll have a booth set up at Loudon Old Home Day tomorrow so please drop by to say Hi!

The information we displayed is about the pantry and other services as well.  Also, our Bears will be there, book marks, wrist bands (Hunger Sucks Food Rocks), grocery lists and other items will be for sale.  The sales benefits the pantry.

We will also be selling Macy’s Shop For A Cause Savings Passes for $5.  The money is our to keep and you get to save up to 25% using the Savings Pass on Friday, August 26, Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28.  These Savings Passes are good at any Macy’s during these days.  Did you know that there is a Macy’s at The Mall of NH in Manchester?

For more information about Loudon Old Home Day and the schedule of events go to http://loudonoldhomeday.com/.

Hope to see you there!

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Our patrons come from all walks of life and are in many different situations.  Some have lost their jobs, some have lost their homes, some have medical conditions that don’t allow them to work anymore, some are getting on in years.   Whether they are alone or have family around them they somehow make it through.

I find that when there is more than one patron shopping at the same time, they are willing to help each other.  They share information about services and even discuss recipes.  After all who knows best about your situation than someone else going through almost the same thing.   They seem to feel better and happier when they leave than when they came in.

But one thing I always notice is that they are always grateful for the food they get and return overstocked items for others to take.

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At Loudon Old Home Day, we will also be selling…

• Our Teddy Bears with T-Shirts that read “Proud Supporter of the Loudon Food Pantry”. – $7.99 each
• Keychains (handmade plastic canvas with our tree on it) – $1 each
• Grocery Lists (hand created with hard backboards so it won’t bend. – $1 each
• Shop For A Cause Savings Pass (macy’s) – $5
• Wristbands in three colors (blue, yellow, and green).  Each wristband reads “Hunger Rocks Food Sucks”. – $1 each

All proceeds from these sales benefit Loudon Food Pantry and we accept cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa Discover, American Express.

Hope to see you there!

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Loudon Old Home day is this Saturday!  Hopefully the weather will be great!

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We will be closing Thursday August 4th (tomorrow) at 5:15 pm.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sue

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Not without a savings pass.  So, drop in and get your macy’s Shop For A Cause Savings Pass for $5.  You help Loudon Food Pantry because we keep the $5 and then you can save up to 25% off all day, all weekend Friday August 26 through Sunday August 28.

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In July we gave out enough food to help create 3.725 meals.

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35% of Loudon Food Pantry patrons are under 18, 24% over 60 and 41% between the ages of 18 and 60.

From January to July 2016, Loudon Food Pantry gave out enough food to make 35,690 meals.

In the State of New Hampshire, 1 in 9 people struggle with hunger.

Families are not only visiting food pantries to meet temporary, acute food needs – instead, for the majority of people seeking food assistance, food pantries are now a part of households’ long term strategy to supplement monthly shortfalls in food.    Hunger in America 2010 study

From Paycheck to Pantry

While more than half (54%) of all client households have a member that has worked for pay in the past 12 months, these households still experience difficulties in meeting their basic needs. Limited hours, changes in employment status, low incomes, and competing household expenses are some of the common challenges.

• Nearly nine out of ten (89%) client households with employment report an annual household income of $30,000 or less.
• More than two-thirds (69%) of working client households live at or below the federal poverty line, which was $23,550 for a family of four in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Many client households face challenges in securing full-time positions, with more than half (57%) of working client households reporting part-time employment (30 hours or less per week).

Feeding America

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Yesterday we were at the Canterbury Fair and had a great time.  We talked with a lot of people, sold some product and received donations.  Al in all we came back with $101.  We spoke with people that were going to drop off some fresh vegetables and other items this coming week.

It was a good day and the weather was just right!  A Thank You to everyone at the fair that make us feel so welcome each year!

Our next event will the Loudon Old Home day on August 13th.

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