SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES $1.25 MILLION FOR NH FOOD BANK

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that her request to support the New Hampshire Food Bank has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Shaheen secured $1.25 million for the project, which will allow the Food Bank to expand and relocate to a new location in Manchester that will include more space for food storage and refrigeration, as well as expanded kitchen space for trainings.  These funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2011 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. 

"Countless New Hampshire families have struggled to make ends meet during this challenging economic climate, but no one in this country should have to go hungry," said Shaheen.  "The New Hampshire Food Bank exemplifies the generosity of New Hampshire by helping to provide for our neediest neighbors during their times of need, and I am pleased they will now be able to expand their capacity to serve our communities."        

"We're thrilled with Senator Shaheen's support for this project to help in the expansion of the New Hampshire Food Bank.  Increasing our capacity will assist thousands of Granite State residents who are dealing with the realities of hunger, and it is critical to meeting the changing needs of those who turn to food agencies," said Melanie Gosselin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank.  "I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Shaheen, Senator Gregg, and the entire delegation as the process moves ahead and we get closer to developing a food bank that will serve New Hampshire for many years to come."

The New Hampshire Food Bank annually supplies more than five million pounds of food to 411 agencies statewide, feeding an estimated 126,000 citizens in 2009. The Food Bank also addresses the root causes of hunger through the Recipe for Success program, which successfully provides culinary job training to disadvantaged populations, the unemployed and underemployed.  In addition to expanded storage space, the new location will allow the Food Bank to launch an initiative to generate revenue to help sustain their mission of feeding the hungry in New Hampshire.