The Seacoast Family Food Pantry...Needs Your Support!
When Diane Giese of The Seacoast Family Food Pantry graciously accepted my request to be interviewed, I jumped at the opportunity to meet with her. It is not everyday one gets the chance to interview the Executive Director of the oldest social service agency in New Hampshire.
The Seacoast Family Food Pantry began in 1816
assisting families of fishermen and operating under the name of The Ladies Humane Society. Since that time, the agency has had five name changes and five different missions. One such mission, during WWII, was to operate as a day care to allow women to participate in the war effort. In 2007, the name Seacoast Family Food Pantry was adopted and its mission is to help low income individuals and families by providing food, personal care items and nutritional education. Additional services include "Moving Matters," a walking program and a subsidized Weight Watchers program, all targeted to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
No stranger to hard work and serving the needs of people, Diane's resume includes 30+ years of owning and operating restaurants in Cambridge and Belmont, MA and working for a Who's Who list of restaurant entrepreneurs in NH. Her quick easy smile, genuine laugh and energetic personality makes her perfect for this job!
Since the beginning of the economic meltdown, Diane has witnessed a rapid increase in the need for services and food assistance in the community. In 2007, The Seacoast Family Food Pantry was helping 40-50 families per month. Today that number has grown to 250-280 families per month. The days of operation have been expanded from 3 days a week to 5.
Originally serving the Portsmouth community, The Seacoast Family Food Pantry catchment area has grown to include the greater Seacoast towns of Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, New Castle, North Hampton, Portsmouth Rye, Stratham, Seabrook and Kittery, ME. Her biggest concerns now are the rapidly growing segments of seniors and the working poor, making just enough to keep them from qualifying for public assistance, but devastated by the growing cost of living, housing, utilities and rising gasoline prices.
Receiving no public funding, The Seacoast Family Food Pantry relies on support from grants, charitable gifts, donations and fundraisers. A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, The Seacoast Family Food Pantry works tirelessly with its 10 person Board of Directors, Executive Director and 25 member volunteer force to fulfill its mission.
Historically, the summer season falls short on the donation side for The Seacoast Family Food Pantry, but this is their busiest season for serving families, a time when all the kids are home and no longer receiving school subsidized lunches and snacks. Your support is crucial at this time to replenish the empty shelves at the food pantry.
BTW, for the NAR Open House Weekend, "Partnering with the Seacoast Family Food Pantry, on Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate / The Masiello Group will be accepting donations of canned goods at over 60 open houses in the Seacoast area. Here’s a great opportunity to view some exciting properties and help support the efforts of the Food Pantry. For specific open house locations and times go online to: masiello.com."
If you wish to make a donation, please go to Donate Here. Your contributions are entirely tax-deductible and will help families in need.
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John McCarthy
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408 Lafayette Rd, Hampton, NH 03842
603-601-1110 Office
603-418-1521 Cell
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John, truly a worthy cause, so many are in need these days. And hats off to your company for recognizing the need and getting involved.
I love the history lesson, they have been around since 1816? Wow!!!
Best of luck, I hope that the food pours in. These days there is often not much that separates those in need from those who are giving, so it is a hard time I know. But a can of food, a bag of taters, a loaf of bread is an easy thing to donate.