Our mission is to provide food and shelter to people in need and offer supportive services to achieve self-sufficiency. The New Horizons food pantry is available for people residing in Manchester who are suffering extreme financial hardship. Families and individuals can utilize the pantry one time per month and receive pre-packed groceries based on the number of individuals residing in the household. Choices of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and bakery items are also available based on family size. In addition to utilizing the pantry one time per month for the large food distribution, a bread line is open following the pantry distribution times when clients using the Pantry can come and get bakery and perishable items. Pantry clients may access the bread line as many times per month as they need to. The pantry is open for food distribution on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. as well as Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The bread line is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. while quantities last. First time clients accessing the food pantry need to bring current photo identification, proof of their residence in Manchester, proof of income (pay stub, earnings statement or bank statement), birth certificates for any children residing in the household, and Social Security cards for adults residing in the household. The food pantry relies largely upon donated food items. Many churches, businesses, schools, supermarkets and individuals consistently support the pantry in this way. The New Horizons soup kitchen was the first component to New Horizons expansive services. The soup kitchen began as a group of concerned citizens making soup and sandwiches at their homes and then serving them from a borrowed camper that would go to those impoverished people in need of nutrition. The soup kitchen is now a place where those in need, whose paths in life have met with devastating financial circumstances and the homeless come to receive a hot meal, encouragement and companionship in a place where they are treated with dignity and respect. It serves much more than soup. Dinner always includes a robust salad, entree, sides, dessert and choice of milk, coffee and soft drinks. The soup kitchen serves breakfast for shelter guests daily. It also serves a complete dinner to seniors (over 50) at 3:00 p.m. and for individuals, and their families beginning at 4:30 daily. The soup kitchen typically serves over 200 meals daily.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (603) 668-1877 to book your appointment.
Address :
199 Manchester St,
Manchester, NH 03103.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Manchester
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hillsborough
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (603) 668-1877 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Food Pantry in Near By County
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.