Helping a Community Thrive

Families Helping Families

Through the Manchester High School Pantry, you help this community lift each other up

At Manchester Middle and High School, the pantry program is a wonderful example of the power of community. Serving over 50 families, along with individuals and emergency cases, the pantry is a collaborative effort fueled by volunteers, donors and school staff, with contributions from Freestore Foodbank.

“The need is significant here. We try to help wherever we can,” says Becky, a teacher at the school. She is especially proud of the student volunteers. “These kids here help so much, from packing boxes to helping with our inventory decisions. We’re really proud of our program. Families helping families, we like to say.”

These student volunteers, many of whom are also recipients, play a vital role in keeping the pantry running smoothly. Dakota, a 12th grader, and his sister Gracie, a 10th grader, are two such volunteers who have been helping out for a few years already. “We’ll come in, rearrange everything, check dates, and fill orders as they come in,” Dakota explains. “Helping people … it’s pretty nice.”

Gracie echoes her brother’s sentiment. “I like helping people, too. To [help] people who are struggling to get food — it’s good.”

Nena, a volunteer in the ninth grade, also shares her enthusiasm: “I like to help people, and I like to do all of this stuff. I like to pack up the orders.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the pantry continues to thrive as a shining example of how members of a community can come together to support each other.