Newsletter | August 2024

HCFP Expands their Operational Space

HCFP Expands their Operational Space with the Help of ARPA Funding & Hooksett Public Works

A dream becomes a reality with time, some money, a plan, and a team to pull it off. That’s the case at the Hooksett Town Hall in the former Village School kitchen area adjacent to the established Hooksett Community Food Pantry (HCFP) operating space. The major changes detailed in this article allows the Hooksett Community Food Pantry to continue…

With the Mission of:

“To help those of the local community who are food insecure by providing food items- thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community”

Barb Brennan, The Hooksett Community Food Pantry Committee Chairperson had this to say about the Hooksett Food Pantry Project which started back in 2008: 

“During John (JP) Brennan’s original Eagle Scout Project back in 2008-2009 to convert the former Village School’s kitchen walk-in cooler, the dry good space, and the common hallway into the Hookset Community Food Pantry space, the adjacent unused kitchen space was viewed as opportunity to expand if/when the community mission to feed those seeking food from the pantry grew to that level.”

In Jan 2023, 10 years following the prior denied attempts, the Town of Hooksett announced an opportunity to put forward proposals to enhance the Hooksett community with projects that could utilize the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Funds that would be approved and designated by an ARPA Sub-Committee before going before the Hooksett Town Council for allocation.

The proposal identified a project cost estimate of $50K-$70K using local town business resources to perform the defined renovation proposal for the facility and purchasing the furnishings as responsibly as possible. The ARPA Sub-Committee approved the proposal suggesting that HCFP also make a financial commitment to the project in parallel.

Town Council tours were held on June 14, 2023 and a final presentation was made before the Hooksett Town Council on June 28, 2023 where the council approved the suggested $50K to renovate the kitchen space.

Captured in the June 28, 2023 Hooksett Town Council meeting minutes is a quote from Town Council Chair Tim Tsantoulis: 

“What the food pantry is asking for is very basic requirements. This is to serve the public that needs this. This is not a wish list and the items needed are well intended and needed”.  

Ben Berthiaume, Director of Hooksett Public Works, was assigned as Project Manager to coordinate the removal of all non-essential items in the space and to add the proposed items. Along with the Hooksett Public Works Maintenance team and sub-contractors, they executed the plan and were very conscious of the spending and value of this renovation and it’s benefit to both the town building and the HCFP mission to feed those in our community.  Unforeseen delays due to resources and priorities, HCFP scheduled events, and clarifying the usage of the approved ARPA funds extended the renovation timeframe, but the renovations and overall metamorphosis continued.

While the building was transforming, following the May 2023 request of the ARPA approval committee to “make a financial commitment to the project”, the HCFP Operating Committee discussed with several financial donors how their donations made to help the mission of the pantry could benefit in the longer success of the pantry by being used toward the new refrigerator and freezers needed in the renovated space.  HCFP allocated that portion of donated funds to those appliances while using other financial donations to maintain the food purchases and utility expenses of the food pantry.  The strategy proved successful and the food pantry was able to allocate and order all 3 appliances for $8500 in April with an anticipated delivery in late May.

The final ARPA fund expenditure for the food pantry renovation project came in at more than ~$15,000 under the $50,000 allowance thanks in part to the efficient planning of resources by the Town Project Manager, personnel of the Hooksett Public Works, and keeping to the renovation vision by the HCFP Renovation Project Committee.

To renovate from this…

To a proposed usable space like this:

With a final area that looks like this:

“The partnership with the town to complete this renovation has allowed the mission of the pantry to not only continue as it has since 2008, but to further it’s potential within the community.  Getting all of the operations and storage within a single expanded area and being able to reorganize areas that have always been difficult within the pantry space makes it more comfortable for all. If anything, the expansion allows us to have more people volunteer simultaneously and to conduct more than one activity at a time.  Our historical success even through COVID proved we are resilient, flexible, and committed, but it was time to make this improvement.  We hope to be able to add additional community engagement opportunities having the additional space and capacity. The original vision of this food pantry was to be FOR the community and cared for BY the community; and I think this is another step in that direction”.

Kevin Lane Hooksett Community Food Pantry Renovation Committee Chair…

The Hooksett Community Food Pantry plans to host an open house later in 2024 to provide tours and talk about volunteer opportunities for citizens, organizations, Hooksett schools & student clubs, and local businesses interested in engaging with this community mission.    

To date, the HCFP has distributed over 1 million food items to the Hooksett community at no added cost to the taxpayer.

We encourage anyone needing food assistance or those interested in engaging with this project in any way to contact the HCFP at (603)485-7222.  Client food distributions are held Monday – Thursday by appointment with respect, dignity and confidentiality.  Non-perishable food donation bins are located throughout town at The Hooksett Library, Shaw’s Supermarket, Market Basket, Hannaford’s, and the Town Hall main entrance.

“I would like to formally thank the many volunteers and the present town employees that stepped up and made the Food Pantry expansion and renovation a reality” concludes Barb Brennan.

Thank You to Kevin Lane for submitting the article below about the major renovations.  Congratulations to the amazing team we have at the Hooksett Food Pantry with the outstanding leadership of its Chair Barb Brennan. Hooksett Kiwanis is very proud to be the sponsor of this wonderful asset to the Hooksett Community.