Southern New Hampshire Health Partners with United Way of Greater Nashua to Launch the Greater Nashua Hunger Fund

Expanding access to food amid the federal government shutdown and potential disruptions to SNAP and WIC benefits

Southern New Hampshire Health has joined forces with United Way of Greater Nashua as the lead-off sponsor for the Greater Nashua Hunger Fund, an initiative designed to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food for families in the region.

At a time when the federal shutdown may impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs, this fund will provide an essential local safety net for residents who might otherwise lose access to critical food-support resources. The Greater Nashua Hunger Fund builds on United Way’s longstanding commitment to reducing food insecurity through expanding access to healthy and affordable food for residents.

The new fund will expand these efforts by providing support during times when access to federal programs may be disrupted or delayed, distributing food vouchers and gift cards through municipal offices and family resource centers, and purchasing supplemental food supplies in bulk for more than 20 local pantries.

The Greater Nashua Hunger Fund builds on United Way of Greater Nashua’s longstanding work to reduce food insecurity by expanding access to healthy and affordable food for residents across the region. The Greater Nashua Hunger Fund supports communities in Nashua, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Brookline, Hollis, Amherst, Mont Vernon, Lyndeborough, and Wilton.

“Our team of providers sees every day that food insecurity has a direct impact on people’s health and well-being,” said Colin McHugh, President and CEO of Southern New Hampshire Health. “As a nonprofit organization that has served the community since 1893, we’re committed to partnering with United Way of Greater Nashua in addressing this critical need. Given the government shutdown and the risk of SNAP benefits lapsing for thousands in our region, together we can make an immediate impact on families across our community.”

“The Greater Nashua Hunger Fund will strengthen our local safety net and ensure that food access is never out of reach,” said Mike Apfelberg, President of United Way of Greater Nashua. “Community support makes all of this possible, and with partners like Southern New Hampshire Health, we’re building a stronger, healthier region for everyone.”

Accessing Food Resources & How to Contribute

Residents in need of support can access United Way’s Nashua Pop-Up Pantry Stands, which operate throughout the week from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, November 3 – April 17, at the following locations:

• Mondays – Harbor Care, 45 High Street, Nashua
• Tuesdays – Girls Inc. 27 Burke Street
• Wednesdays – Arlington Street Community Ctr., 36 Arlington Street
• Thursdays – Nashua Community Music School, 2 Lock Street
• Fridays – Crossway Christian Church, 33 Pine Street

A full list of Greater Nashua food pantries and community meal programs is available at https://tinyurl.com/UW-Food

Organizations and individuals who wish to support the Greater Nashua Hunger Fund can make donations to United Way of Greater Nashua online at https://givebutter.com/ud6UY8

In addition to its partnership with the United Way of Greater Nashua, Southern New Hampshire Health supports several local nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity and other social determinants of health, including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, YMCA of Greater Nashua, Front Door Agency, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Nashua Police Athletic League, and Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support. These collaborations reflect the organization’s ongoing commitment to building a healthier community for those we serve.