by Dr. Maria Manus Painchaud, Holiday Project Chair
Preparations are currently underway for the Capital Region Food Program’s 52nd Annual Holiday Project. The Holiday Project, formerly known as the Holiday Food Basket Project, provides vouchers that give seniors, families and individuals the power to choose the foods that support their unique needs while easing strained budgets from holiday expenses and rising heating costs in the colder months.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices in the U.S. have surged 23.6% between 2020 and 2024, driven by inflation and major disruptions in our food system. At the same time, SNAP recipients will soon feel the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, which significantly increases New Hampshire’s share of SNAP funding. Estimates from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality show the state’s cost share rising by 120%, from roughly $11 million to more than $24 million.
It is unrealistic to expect that the State of New Hampshire can fully absorb the widening funding gap created by increased SNAP cost-sharing requirements and other anticipated cuts. As food prices continue to climb and household budgets tighten, more residents will turn to community-based organizations like CRFP and its partners to help bridge the gap and ensure consistent access to nutritious food. During this period of rising food costs and policy shifts, CRFP remains committed to our mission to support seniors, individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Vouchers will be distributed on December 13, 2025, in collaboration with community partners, to eligible participants throughout the Greater Concord area (Concord and the surrounding 17 communities). The vouchers, redeemable at local Market Basket stores through January 31, 2026, can be used to purchase groceries and other basic necessities. Voucher amounts are based on household size and cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, or lottery products.
Please join us in supporting this community-wide effort by making a donation. Your gift to CRFP helps sustain programs like the Holiday Project, ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food—this Holiday season and all year long.