This is an important, vital ministry of the church that serves residents in need on a weekly basis. Not only does it provide food to Freedom residents, it also serves Effingham and Ossipee as well. The Pantry operates under the able leadership of Doris Sirois and Vicki McVitty and a host of volunteers (coordinated by Dan Spear).
Donation boxes are placed at the Freedom Post Office, the Effingham Post Office, the Effingham Public Library, and Valueland Food Store. The Pantry also receives generous donations of leftover food from the many camps in the region.
In 2023, the Pantry served 2,138 clients with a total of 44,898 meals. In 2022, the Pantry served 1,508 clients with a total of 31,668 meals. In 2021, the Pantry served 1,192 families with a total of 24,732 meals. The demographics vary month to month between adults, children and seniors, but there seems to be a steady rise from single digits to double digits with no decrease in sight.
For Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2023, the Pantry provided holiday meals for families to prepare with the help of a generous contribution from Thrivent Financial.
If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, call the church office at 539-6484 or e-mail at [email protected]. Monetary donations can be mailed to Freedom Food Pantry, Box 502, Freedom, NH 03836. Food donations can be dropped off in the front church foyer 24/7.