Associated Builders and Contractors, New Hampshire / Vermont Chapter (ABC NH/VT) delivered over $34,000 in relief to help the food banks of New Hampshire and Vermont fight hunger in our communities.

“During this coronavirus crisis, many families in our communities are faced with tough decisions but choosing to eat shouldn’t be one of them,” said Josh Reap, President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors. “We have such an amazing and compassionate construction community and they stepped up in a big way to help the food banks in their fight against hunger.”

“We are seeing a 50 percent increase in distribution this year versus last year and are seeing a number of agencies that have not needed our resources in some time reaching out and placing orders for food,” said Eileen Liponis, executive director, New Hampshire Food Bank. “With so many people out of work, coupled with families who typically depend on free and reduced school meals, the need has risen fast and we are taking every possible step to ensure we can provide food to those in need.”

The association set a goal of raising $15,000 but within a few days, it became apparent that more was needed and contractors more than doubled the goal. An equal amount went to the food banks of both states, for a total of $34,000 raised and donated to help feed those in need.

“We are honored to support the food banks of New Hampshire and Vermont to help fight against hunger in our community,” said Stacy Clark, president of Turnstone Corporation. “Food security is important more than ever and we are happy to be part of the ABC’s fundraising drive for the betterment of the communities in which we live and work.”

Donations for the drive came from commercial, industrial, and residential contractors from across the Granite State as well as Vermont. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

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Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC NH/VT is a chapter of the national Associated Builders & Contractors, and has the mission of helping members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, has been working to relieve hunger in the Granite State since 1984. The New Hampshire Food Bank receives no federal or state funding for food distribution. In 2019, as the state’s only Food Bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank efficiently procured and distributed more than 14.2 million pounds of food to people in need through more than 425 non-profit registered agencies. Agencies include food pantries, neighborhood centers, low-income housing sites, senior nutrition centers, family crisis centers, hospices, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after school programs, and day care centers. 

The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry. Vermont Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, and locally service over 153,000 Vermonters each year. They work with over 215 network and agency partners to provide nutritious food in each county in the state. The Vermont Foodbank opened its doors in 1986, and is based in Barre, Vermont, with additional warehouse locations in Rutland and Brattleboro.