Nothing Campaign generates resources & awareness for the 143,200 NH residents who have nothing to eat; effort raised more than $347,000 since 2013
LONDONDERRY, NH – It’s that time again, another season of Nothing here in New Hampshire, for those in need.
On April 14 the New Hampshire Food Bank launched the 2016 Nothing Campaign, as a creative and poignant way to fight hunger throughout the Granite State.
Now in its fourth year in New Hampshire, the Nothing campaign officially kicked off at the Market Basket in Londonderry on Thursday, with an assist from Gov. Maggie Hassan. The goal is to raise awareness and resources for the more than 1-in-9 New Hampshire residents who are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from.
For $5 you can purchase the empty can which doubles as a bank. When the bank is filled, you return them to the NH Food Bank.
Pretty simple.
Since 2013, the Nothing Campaign has raised more than $347,000 to support the NH Food Bank’s statewide efforts to address hunger. Throughout April and May, people purchase cans of “Nothing” to represent the reality that more than 143,200 New Hampshire residents, including more than 42,170 children, have nothing to eat.
Cans are on sale at 69 participating grocery stores across the state through May 30, including all New Hampshire Hannaford, Harvest Market, and Market Basket locations, as well as Sully’s Superette in Goffstown and Allenstown and Vista Foods in Laconia. All proceeds go to the NH Food Bank to buy meals for the hungry. To learn more about the campaign and to donate, visit: nhfoodbank.org/nothing.
“The Nothing Campaign represents the all-hands-on-deck spirit of our people, bringing businesses, nonprofits and individuals together to ensure that none of New Hampshire’s residents have to choose between buying food or paying for other critical life expenses,” Governor Hassan said. “I encourage all Granite Staters to join the fight against hunger in New Hampshire by purchasing a Nothing can and supporting the New Hampshire Food Bank.”
For the fourth straight year, Citizens Bank is the sole underwriter for the Nothing Campaign. With support from Citizens Bank and participating grocers, along with the efforts of its 400 partner agencies statewide, the NH Food Bank raised more than $114,340 during last year’s Nothing Campaign.
The NH Food Bank is a program of Catholic Charities and receives no state or federal aid for food distribution. They supply 400 statewide partners with a majority of the food they distribute. During 2014, the NH Food Bank distributed 11 million pounds of food to its partners across the state, which marked a 30 percent increase from 2013. With the need growing dramatically this past year, the NH Food Bank’s food distribution exceeded 12 million pounds.
Across the state, local food pantries and soup kitchens are dealing with major increases in demand. In calendar year 2015, for example:
- Nashua – Nashua Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry has received 541,716 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank this year, marking a 108% increase from last year
- Manchester – New Horizons, which is the third largest NH Food Bank recipient in the state and the largest in Manchester, has received 433,419 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank this year, marking a 77% increase from last year.
- Exeter – Saint Vincent DePaul has experienced a 67% increase this year, and has already received 221,025 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank this year.
- Laconia – Inreach Ministries Food Pantry is in the midst of a 59% increase in demand, having received 137,793 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank this year.
- North Haverhill – Horse Meadow Senior Center has received 64,966 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank this year, a 77% increase from last year.
In addition to food distribution, the NH Food Bank hosts and coordinates a variety of services and programs throughout the state, including a nutrition incentives program that doubles food stamp benefits at farmers markets, along with statewide outreach efforts connecting those in need with critical resources. The NH Food Bank’s renowned Cooking Matters program offers hands-on courses with local culinary and nutrition experts providing participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to choose delicious, low-cost ingredients and to stretch them across multiple meals, all while utilizing healthy cooking techniques. More than 1,600 people have participated in Cooking Matters programs throughout the state since January 2015.
