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

History

For more than 50 years, the Capital Region Food Program has brought neighbors together to help ensure that families and individuals in the Greater Concord area have access to food.

1974 — A Community Tradition Begins

The Holiday Food Basket Project began in 1974 when Reverend Sherwood Treadwell and Mark E. Manus brought together local businesses, faith communities, and volunteers to provide holiday food to families in need. The project soon became a joint effort of the Greater Concord Interfaith Council of Churches, St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. John’s Church, and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, with Mark E. Manus serving as its chair and champion.

That first year, the project provided food to approximately 100 Concord families.

1984 — The Capital Region Food Program is Established

As the project grew, the Capital Region Food Program was established as an independent nonprofit.

1986 — The Beginnings of Year-Round Distribution

CRFP began laying the groundwork for its Year Round Distribution Project after receiving a walk-in freezer. In its early years, food was stored at the MC Shelter for Domestic Violence and distributed to community agencies and families on an as-needed basis.

1989 — A Turning Point

In May 1989, CRFP founder Mark E. Manus died of cancer at age 65. His daughter, Maria Manus Painchaud, stepped forward to lead the organization, and the Board voted to continue its work. That year, the Holiday Food Basket Project served more than 1,500 families, the largest distribution to date.

The Board committed to strengthening the organization through formal governance, succession planning, active volunteer leadership, and documented procedures, while maintaining its all-volunteer model.

1992 — Year-Round Distribution Project is Established

The Year Round Distribution Project was formally established to provide supplemental food to local food pantries, churches, soup kitchens, and social service agencies. This partnership-based approach remains an important part of CRFP’s work today.

2000’s — Growing Through Community Partnerships

CRFP continued to grow its programs and strengthen the partnerships that made its work possible. The Year Round Distribution Project became a well-established monthly program, supported by a dedicated network of volunteers, food suppliers, agencies, and community partners.

The decade also demonstrated CRFP’s ability to adapt in times of change. When a major New Hampshire Army National Guard call-up disrupted the 2003 Holiday Food Basket Project distribution, volunteers and partners quickly developed an alternative plan that allowed the program to continue.

Through these experiences, CRFP deepened its commitment to collaboration and ensuring that food reached those who needed it most.

2010’s — Reaching More Neighbors

CRFP’s programs continued to grow throughout the decade.

By 2013, approximately 1,000 volunteers were contributing their time each year, and the Holiday Food Basket Project provided food to more than 2,500 families and 7,800 individuals.

The organization’s network of volunteers and community partners became an essential part of its ability to serve the Greater Concord area.

2020 — Adapting to a Changing World

The COVID-19 pandemic forced CRFP to rethink how it operated the Holiday Food Basket Project. Volunteers quickly adapted the Holiday Food Basket Project, distributed food safely, introduced online applications, and strengthened partnerships throughout the community.

Capital Region Food Program was featured on WMUR-TV’s Spirit of Giving, highlighting our new Holiday Voucher Program formally adopted in 2023.

2022 — A New Way to Help Families

Following the challenges of the 2020 and 2021 Holiday Food Basket Projects, CRFP launched a Holiday Voucher Pilot in 2022. The new approach helped to reduce food waste and gave families the flexibility to choose the foods that best met their cultural and dietary needs. Vouchers were distributed through partner agencies and could be redeemed at participating grocery store locations over a six-week period.

2023 — 50 Years of Supporting the Region

CRFP marked its 50th year of operation serving the Greater Concord Area. For five decades, the organization has continued to evolve in response to the changing needs of the community.

Following the successful pilot in 2022, CRFP officially transitioned from traditional food baskets to food vouchers in 2023.

In this ConcordTV Community Conversations interview, Elena Alois and Maria Manus Painchaud share CRFP’s story and the work behind our mission.

Today — Continuing the Mission

Today, CRFP remains an entirely volunteer-run organization, powered by the generosity of donors, community partners, and volunteers. We continue to raise funds, secure food, support community agencies, and provide resources to seniors, families, and neighbors across the Greater Concord area.

For more than five decades, CRFP has shown what a community can accomplish when we come together. As we look ahead, we remain committed to carrying that spirit forward.