About
Twin Rivers Food Pantry
Our Misson Statement
In partnership with caring and generous supporters, Twin Rivers Food Pantry's mission is to nourish, empower and support our neighbors in need.
Our History
We originated in the basement of St. Paul Catholic Church and were known as The Food Closet in the early 1960’s. In 1995 the operation of the Closet was taken over by the Twin Rivers Clergy Association and became known as The Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry. The program was run by a small group of dedicated volunteers working out of the closed St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in downtown Franklin. In 2016 we moved to our current location which allowed us to switch to a “Choice Pantry” method of food distribution where people directly view choices, read labels, and select what they know their families will use. We have come a long way since that small closet! We are currently serving over 140 household each week. In those households, 27% of the individuals are under the age of 18, 25% are over the age of 60, and 6% are Veterans. We are able to operate with the help of over 80 wonderful volunteers. In the summer of 2022 we shortened our name and changed our logo to reflect our mission to provide healthy food and nutrition resources to our neighbors in need. We continue to assess our communities' needs and look for ways to expand our programs. We currently have Merrimack County Navigators at our pantry several times a month who work with community members who are in need of assistance working through social service systems. Navigators work to empower clients and help them identify and organize their support network.
Our Programs
The Pantry operates transparent and respectful programs to improve the overall well-being for all who access our services. We are determined to develop, offer, and sustain inventory and programming that are flexible enough to respond to the broad range of difficult circumstances our area residents are facing. We are nourishing communities today for a healthier tomorrow!
CHOICE SHOPPING: Twin Rivers distributes inventory items via the Choice Pantry model. Our space is set up to closely resemble a small grocery store. Our shoppers use shopping carts to browse our shelves to select their own food items. Quantities offered are based on household size. We purchase an average of 180 half-gallons of nutritious farm-fresh milk weekly from Contoocook Creamery. We stock a larger number of basic personal hygiene items, basic cleaning products, toilet paper, diapers, and feminine hygiene products-all basic necessities that are not covered by SNAP benefits. In addition to generous donations from local gardeners, we purchase fresh produce from local farms as well as purchase frozen vegetables. Having choices restores dignity to the experience of using a pantry. A volunteer guide accompanies each shopper to answer questions, to offer recipe options, and to generally help assure a positive and supportive experience.
FEED THE NEED!: This program provides supplement weekend and vacation food to children living in food-insecure environments. Weekend bags weigh an average of five pounds and contain milk/juice boxes, breakfasts, lunches, and snack items. Bags are packed at the Pantry by volunteers and are distributed by school personnel on Fridays. We are currently providing 130+ bags for children in the Franklin Middle School and Paul Smith Elementary in Franklin and Andover Elementary Middle School. We are also stocking the High School’s Karma Corner.
PERSONAL HYGIENE PROGRAM: While food remains our primary focus, we have become increasingly aware of another problem in low-income households that seriously impacts health and quality of life - the lack of access to basic personal hygiene products, including menstrual products, diapers incontinence products, and laundry detergent. These items are costly and are NOT covered by SNAP or WIC benefits. When people do not purchase hygiene items because of cost, the result is likely missed work shifts, excessive school absences, stigma, overdue diaper changes, and an array of health, emotional, and cleanliness issues. As people make difficult choices about how to spend their limited resources, hygiene items are often considered luxuries. During the past year, we have taken major steps to build and consistently offer an inventory of basic personal hygiene items.and an array of health emotional, and cleanliness issues.
Our Board Of Directors
Our board members are all active participants and have a deep passion for the Pantry’s mission. They are connected and active in various capacities in the community and are strong public advocates for the Pantry’s mission. They live in Franklin and the surrounding towns.
Cheryl Swenson, President, Andover
Gerard Desrochers, Vice President, Franklin
Jessica Price, Treasurer, Salisbury
Jim Zink-Mailloux, Board Member, Salisbury
Daisy Blaisdell, Past President, Salisbury
Ray Bailey, Board Member, Salisbury
Janet Desrochers, Board Member, Franklin
Megan Lewis, Board Member, Franklin
