Art Ellison has one dying wish: Feed all New Hampshire students

March 15, 2024

On November 14, 2019, Hannaford Supermarkets announced a $185,150 donation to New Hampshire Hunger Solutions that will allow the non-profit organization to establish food pantries in about a dozen schools throughout the Granite State.

The announcement was made at Raymond High School with students, educators and administrators in attendance, as well as representatives from Hannaford and NH Hunger Solutions Board members.

The donation is one component of an overall $1 million commitment from Hannaford through its new “Fuel Kids for School” initiative, which is designed to directly address food insecurity and improve access to fresh and healthy food across the northeast. In partnership with area hunger relief organizations, Hannaford will establish, over two years, 90 school food pantries across NH and other northeast states.

Intending to serve as a vital and convenient resource to students and families in need while also increasing access to healthy and nutritious food, the in-school pantries are dedicated spaces where students can select food they enjoy based on their preferences and cooking abilities to provide nourishment both during and after the school day.

During the announcement, Elaine Van Dyke from NH Hunger Solutions said she expected resources targeted at establishing about a dozen school-based food pantries in high schools and potentially another school pantry at a community college in NH. She said, “Prosperity hides poverty and as a state, we must be proud of New Hampshire’s prosperity for it is this prosperity that puts us in a perfect position to tackle our hidden poverty and hunger.”