Derry’s Upper Room seeks food donations to keep up with demand

DERRY – The Upper Room, a family resource center, is calling upon the southern New Hampshire community to help support local families by contributing to its food drive in February. The Upper Room’s food pantry, which serves Greater Derry, offers nutritious meal options to those in need. The pantry is open weekly, and allows families access to a wide range of healthy food staples. About 120 families are fed every month by The Upper Room’s food pantry, and the agency has seen an increase in the need for additional donations. “We always see a surge in generous donations around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but contributions quickly taper off with the beginning of a new year,” said Kimberly Bavaro, executive director of The Upper Room. “Given that hunger is a year-round concern for many families, we are working to make sure we have an adequate supply to address their needs.” Items sought include pasta; sauce; peanut butter; canned proteins such as tuna, chicken and beans; shelf-stable milk; cereal; macaroni and cheese; and ready-to-make dinners. The Upper Room also encourages those interested to call to see what’s needed. Donations are accepted from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.