1. Nashua Center, a nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders in our community, recently received a $266,278 grant through the American Rescue Plan Act — spearheaded by NH State Rep. Latha Mangipudi and Hillsborough County — to replace four aging vans the organization depends on to offer transportation to its clients.
2. For the 8th year, Merrimack County Savings Bank supported the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, which took place on Oct. 15 in Concord. With the bank’s support as a Survivorship Sponsor of Survivor Place — a networking area at the event for survivors and their loved ones — this totals their contributions to more than $80,000 in donations over the years.
3. Four Strafford County nonprofits — Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, The Salvation Army of Rochester, SHARE Fund and Grace Community Church — are partnering to provide Thanksgiving essentials to more than 800 Strafford County households. Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) will also match financial contributions up to $15,000. From left: Jolene Whitehead, MVSB; Melissa Clark, MVSB; Jamie Blanchette, Salvation Army of Rochester; Donald “Skip” Smith, SHARE Fund; Silas Garcia, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County; Sara Smith, Grace Community Church; and Allison Bussiere, Seacoast Food Provides Network.
4. Planet Fitness hosted a company-wide “Flexing for Good” volunteer initiative, where, throughout the month of September, corporate team members in multiple states volunteered at nonprofit organizations, dedicating more than 400 hours of service. Organizations in New Hampshire that received support were the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (BGCM), Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation in Hampton, Lydia’s House of Hope and NH Food Bank. Pictured here: Planet Fitness employees volunteering at BGCM’s Camp Foster, who helped refurbish the boathouse, performing arts center and walkways.
5. Step Up Parents — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to kinship caregivers raising children of parents with substance use disorder — received a $500 donation from NHTrust for gift cards used to purchase gifts for the children in their care this holiday season. Pictured: Josh Allen, associate advisor for NHTrust (left) and Jennifer DuChene, president of Step-Up Parents (right).
6. The Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (BGCM) now offers a weekly “Free Food Friday” for Club families facing food insecurity, who can shop for free groceries from the pantry as they pick up their child. Food donations come from Hannaford and NH Food Bank, including fresh eggs, produce, dairy, meat and canned goods. Pictured: Mary Kate Russo, BGCM’s director of family and behavioral services.
7. Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) has once again supported The Music Hall’s 2023-2024 School Days Series Season with a $10,000 sponsorship, which marks their fourth season supporting the program. From left: Emily Moore, Tina Sawtelle, Mary Beth Johnson, Angela Salb, David McMahon and Sara Turner.
