Holly BerriesHolly Berries

In 2024, We Fed Thousands. This Year, Thousands More Are Counting on Us.

For more than 50 years, the Capital Region Food Program’s Holiday Project has brought nourishment and dignity to thousands of individuals, seniors, and families across Concord and 17 surrounding communities. Through grocery vouchers redeemable at local Market Basket stores, recipients can choose fresh, culturally meaningful foods that meet their unique needs—helping ease the strain of rising food prices, heating costs, and holiday expenses.

With food costs up more than 23% since 2020 and federal aid shrinking, more partners and members in your local community are turning to CRFP for support than ever before. Your donation ensures that no one faces hunger alone this winter. Every dollar helps us provide food vouchers, fill pantry shelves, and strengthen the network of community partners working year-round to reduce food insecurity across the Capital Region.

Donate to Reduce Hunger Across the Capital Region

Category: Uncategorized

From the Board Chair: Meeting Rising Need with Renewed Commitment

By Jennifer L. Carleton, Board Chair

As we enter this holiday season, the realities of food insecurity in New Hampshire are becoming more urgent. Every day, more families are being forced to make impossible choices between groceries, heating, and other essentials.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, has dramatically increased our state’s share of SNAP funding. According to estimates from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, New Hampshire’s cost share will rise by 120%, from roughly $11 million to more than $24 million. As the legislature works to balance the state budget, this significant cut of aid from the Federal government leaves few good options. The outcome could mean reduced enrollment or stricter eligibility, leaving even more families without the food assistance they rely on—just as grocery prices and household costs continue to climb.

During the pandemic, when need surged overnight, the Capital Region Food Program (CRFP) stepped up to ensure no one faced hunger alone. And we are prepared to do it again. Across our communities, partners are already reporting more seniors, individuals, and families seeking help. This is a moment for CRFP, our partners, and our donors to come together, just as we have for more than fifty years.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to believe in our mission. If you too want to make a difference for neighbors across 17+ communities in the Capital Region, we invite you to join us by making a donation.

Let’s make sure that every family has access to nutritious food and hope in homes this upcoming holiday season.

Thank you for standing with us.

Preparations are underway for the 52nd Annual Holiday Project

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.

The Capital City Subaru’s Share the Love® Event Donates $23,000

CRFP was honored to be the 2024 local charity recipient of Capital City Subaru’s Share the Love® Event! This donation will directly support our mission to reduce food insecurity at a vital time given the anticipated challenges of new legislation that adversely impact local food programs. Being an all-volunteer organization, 100% of every dollar raised goes to the purchase of food benefiting thousands of individuals in our area. We are grateful for this support and generosity . Thank you!

Local Volunteer Charlie Bristol Honored for 30+ Years of Tackling Food Insecurity in Greater Concord

CONCORD, NH, September 10, 2025 – The Capital Region Food Program (CRFP) is proud to announce the induction of longtime volunteer Charlie Bristol into the Mark E. Manus Honor Society, recognizing over three decades of extraordinary service and commitment to the organization’s mission of reducing hunger in the Greater Concord area.

Established in 1995 by the CRFP Board of Trustees, the Mark E. Manus Honor Society pays tribute to individuals whose exceptional contributions have significantly shaped the organization’s legacy and impact. Inductees are selected through a thoughtful and deliberate process led by a committee of CRFP leaders, including a member of the Manus family.

“Throughout his association with CRFP, Charlie has been a tremendous supporter, ambassador, advocate and champion of our mission, which is combatting hunger and assisting those in our community struggling with food insecurity,” says Maria Manus Painchaud, a member of the nomination committee. “Charlie’s unyielding commitment is evident not only through his longevity, but clearly by his actions and contributions to the well-being of the organization and those we serve.”

Charlie began volunteering with CRFP in the early 1990s for the annual Holiday Food Basket Project. He was quickly recruited to the Board of Trustees, where he served as Secretary for 30 years. Today, he continues to volunteer on the Technology Committee, where he applies his extensive IT expertise to further support the organization’s sustainability and growth efforts.

In his remarks at the induction, he reflected on the transformation of CRFP and the enduring spirit of collaboration that defines it. “Since joining the organization, I have had the honor and privilege to work with many remarkable people that have inspired me,” said Bristol. “Perhaps the most amazing thing has been to watch the organization grow and adapt in the face of an everchanging social and economic climate. Everyone continues to ask how we can better serve our evolving community and create an organization that continues to meet those needs.”

CRFP extends its heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service and congratulates him on this well-deserved honor. His dedication continues to leave a lasting impact on both the organization and the community.

To learn more about the Capital Region Food Program and its impact on the community, please visit www.capitalregionfoodprogram.org.