NH Food Bank says more help needed as food insecurity grows

The New Hampshire Food Bank is putting out a call for help because thousands of more people in New Hampshire are facing the dilemma of paying rent or putting food on the table.The weekly food pantry at Manchester’s Mercy Hill Church helps about 50 families, like Debra Leighton’s, who said she struggles to keep up with higher prices.”Everything’s going up higher and higher. Every time I go in the store,” Leighton said.A new report from Feeding America shows that food insecurity is increasing in New Hampshire and across the nation. Nearly 15,000 more Granite Staters struggled in 2023 compared to the year before.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“I wasn’t actually surprised, because that’s something that we have seen,” said Elsy Cipriani, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank.Cipriani said the food bank’s partners – pantries and kitchens – have been requesting more food this year. Rural places are hit the hardest. Coos County has the highest percentage of food insecurity in the state. “Location, lack of access to the places where they can get food,” Cipriani said. “And one of the great things about the food bank is that we are in a very unique position to be able to reach those populations.”The food bank is asking for help so it can help others. “Volunteering, providing funding, anything helps, and we welcome the help of the community,” Cipriani said.The New Hampshire Food Bank is holding an online fundraiser in June. The NH Gives fundraiser aims to raise $30,000.

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