Nashua Seeks 100+ Volunteers for Summer Food Drive

When school's out for summer, many kids lose access to their most reliable meals, and that's exactly when food donations tend to dry up in Nashua.

United Way of Greater Nashua has a solution. Every May, they organize volunteers to stand in supermarkets across the region, encouraging shoppers to grab a few extra items for families in need.

"Many people go away on vacation, so therefore donations are down in the pantries in the community," said Mike Apfelberg, the organization's president. "And at the same time, food access is reduced for many young people because they're not getting fed in schools."

The timing couldn't be more important. Food insecurity remains critical in the area, especially with gas prices squeezing family budgets even tighter. While the situation has improved since SNAP benefits were suspended earlier this year, local pantries still face serious pressure.

The annual Kevin Slattery Memorial Food Drive happens May 30 and 31, with organizers hoping to recruit more than 100 volunteers. These volunteers will spend their Memorial Day weekend at grocery stores, turning routine shopping trips into opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors.

The Ripple Effect

This volunteer-powered approach does more than fill pantry shelves. It reminds shoppers that food insecurity exists in their own backyard and gives them an instant, tangible way to help. One extra can of soup or box of pasta becomes part of a larger safety net that catches families when they need it most.

The drive has become a fixture in the community, turning Memorial Day weekend into a moment of action rather than just the unofficial start of summer. Volunteers like Karen Price return year after year, knowing their presence makes the ask easier and the impact bigger.

Apfelberg's message to potential volunteers is simple but powerful: "Volunteering can make a very real difference in people's lives." Those interested can sign up at unitedwaynashua.org to claim a shift at one of the participating stores.

The beauty of this approach is how it meets people where they are, literally, transforming a grocery run into a chance to strengthen the community.