Kennebunk Savings is supporting Gather’s capital campaign for a new Community Food Center with a $50,000 donation. The facility, which is being constructed at 124 Heritage Avenue in Portsmouth, will expand the scale and scope of the food pantry’s operations, creating a new community hub for the growing number of food-insecure families on the Seacoast.

Since 2021, Gather has seen a 78% increase in membership; they currently serve more than 10,000 individuals per month across 119 towns and cities in New Hampshire and Maine. Gather provides members with direct access to fresh groceries and prepared meals. Their many partnerships with restaurants, grocery stores, and other nonprofits divert food waste and strengthen the local food system.

“Gather has impressed us – and I think impressed everyone in this community – with their incredible knack for expansion and innovation. They are always coming up with new programming, forging new partnerships, finding new efficiencies,” observed Lex Meagher, President and CEO of Kennebunk Savings. “We want to help give them the new tools they need to keep going,” added Danny Edgecomb, Director of Insurance at Kennebunk Savings’ 1871 Group, and member of Gather’s Board of Directors.

“The new Community Food Center will be critical as we tackle the growing needs that our community’s most vulnerable families face,” said Anne Hayes, Gather’s Executive Director. “We are currently serving more than ten thousand people a month. Kennebunk Savings’ support for this important project will enable us to serve more people more efficiently and provide them with wrap-around support and educational programming.”

Gather’s vision for the Community Food Center extends beyond the plate. Food is a visible and accessible point-of-entry for families and individuals who could benefit from additional community resources. “When you visit Gather’s new space, you’ll find seniors learning how to cook on a budget, families enjoying a community meal, teens learning how to grow their own food, community partners providing support, and community organizers hosting advocacy training,” said Patte Ardizzoni, Gather’s Director of Development and Communications. “The Center will help us and our partners address the root causes of food insecurity and financial instability and work together towards systemic change.”

For more information, visit GatherNH.org.