Our Mission

At the Seacoast Family Food Pantry we strive to fulfill the needs of low-income individuals and families with food, personal care products and education for healthy living. We provide these services on both an emergency and on-going basis, respecting the dignity of each individual.

Food Pantry Hours

• Monday:
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday:
• Thursday:
• Friday:

• 10am - 3pm
• 3pm - 6pm
• 10am - 3pm
• 3pm - 6pm
• 10am - 3pm

Food Pantry Staff

• Diane Giese
• Executive Director
• Phone: 603-436-6161
• Email: dgiese13@comcast.net

• Margie Parker
• Pantry Director
• Phone: 603-436-0641
• Email: margie.p@comcast.net

News & Events

3rd Annual Frugal Feast

Starting at 5:00 pm

At the Masonic Temple
351 Middle Street Portsmouth, NH (Corner of Miller Avenue)

The Evening begins with...

...a chance to browse our silent auction tables and greet neighbors and friends followed by

...a family supper served in the tradition of local soup kitchens that provide many individuals and families in our community access to hot meals.

...there will be music and an exciting speaker to be announced


The Night's Schedule:
5:00pm: Silent Auction & Refreshments
5:30pm: Supper Begins
7:00pm: Silent Auction Ends

Ticket Information:
Singles: $20
Couple: $35
Children under 18: $5
Table For 8: $140
Absentee Table Sponsor: $75

To Purchase Tickets:
Send a check or contact Diane Giese at 603.436.6161
or dgiese13@comcast.net,

or purchase with Credit Card by donating through
PayPal
NOTE: Please indicate in memo line that you are using PayPal for Frugal Feast.

Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Concert

Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court St., Portsmouth, NH

Dr. King’s message of social justice, action and interrelatedness will be the core focus of this concert expressed through the sharing of gospel music, civil rights songs, and spoken word. Program participants include:

Rev. Dr. Lillian Buckley accompanied by Kent Allyn
The Voices of New Hope directed by Courtney Holloway
Dr. Wanda Mitchell
Rev. Vivan Martindale
Fredric Taylor, Spoken Word
Stairwells, a cappella vocal group directed by Ben Baldwin
Diane Giese, Executive Director of Seacoast Family Food Pantry
Chester Buckley
Bob McCarthy

Cost: No admission charge, but it is requested that attendees bring non-perishable food items or check/cash donation for the Seacoast Family Food Pantry

Holiday Baskets!

Seacoast Family Food Pantry Holiday Baskets

If you wish to receive Holiday Food Baskets,
please contact our office at

603-436-0641 or 603-436-6161
or e-mail us and leave your name and contact information.
dgiese13@comcast.net or Margie.p@comcast.net

Distribution of Thanksgiving Baskets will be Monday, November 21st:

Seniors (60+) from 3-4pm
last names A-L from 4-5pm
last names M-Z from 5-6pm


Distribution of December Baskets will be Tuesday, December 20th:

Seniors (60+) from 3-4pm
last names A-L from 4-5pm
last names M-Z from 5-6pm

Family Pumpkin Festival!

Join us in Portsmouth for a
FAMILY PUMPKIN FESTIVAL!
Saturday, October 15th, 11am - 5pm

Bring a 3 piece Donation for the Seacoast Family Food Pantry and get a FREE PUMPKIN!
Bring a 5 piece donation and
be eligible to
ENTER TO WIN PATRIOTS TICKETS!

Portsmouth, NH Only. Pumpkins are while supplies last. See store for details. No short coded items please.

What we did at SFFP this Summer

I am not going to regale you with tales of my soiree in Little Compton RI which ended abruptly as Alpha dog would not let youngest dog near the fence of the huge yard without a chorus of growling and gnashing of teeth…..and the remote location (how many books can one read in three days!) nearly drove me mad. However, I would love to share with you the amazing summer we have had at the Seacoast Family Food Pantry.

• In June, July and August of 2011 we had 616 visits to the pantry up 26% from 2010. We still have not had to turn anyone away due to lack of supply.


• These numbers represent 1290 individuals; 43020 meals (calculated by USDA formula); 185 folks over the age of 60; and 343 children under the age of 18.


• We hosted a gala Fourth of July food distribution with all the fixings for a grand picnic for more than 250 families.


• We attended camp and swim registrations and gave out healthy snack bags to children with information on how their families could both obtain help from the pantry or donate to us.


• We were presented by generous checks from St. John’s Masonic Lodge #1 in Portsmouth, the Liberty Mutual Group in Portsmouth, the Fuller Foundation in Rye, the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Long Term Care Patrners LLC, Give with Liberty and by a number of our loyal community supporters including the proceeds of two lemonade stands in Stratham and several birthday parties in Portsmouth!


• We received great food and personal care donations from many friends including the Red Hat Mamas, a neighborhood “Pack the Porch” campaign in both Greenland and several Portsmouth and Stratham neighborhoods, our dear friends the Browns, Sprague Energy and Community Day at Strawbery Banke and a timely TP donation from those terrific folks at Las Olas to mention only a few.


• All summer we have had beautiful produce courtesy of a number of local growers including our friend Denny of Lee and a plethora of fabulous cucumbers and zucchini from Barker Farm on Route 33 in Stratham. We have gleaned terrific produce from Saturday morning’s Farmers Market in Portsmouth and have received superb vegetables from other local growers which importantly enhance the supplies we are able to offer our families.


• We led a “Moving Matters” program every day at noon from May through most of August and are stepping out again in September. We subsidized a Weight Watcher program for some of our families and hope to continue that as well.


• We attended the inaugural meeting of the NH Food Advisory Committee and were energized by the agenda of the meeting, both challenged to end malnutrition in NH by providing healthy food to the families we serve... and encouraged to offer the best foods available -- not just to satisfy hunger-- but to underscore nutritional support for vigorous living.

Wanted! A Few Good Volunteers...

Chores include:

• Assembling Healthy Snack Bags


• Sorting and stocking shelves


• Possibly helping serve clients


• Adding information to our database

We are hoping to get a long term commitment for every week or every other week.

Thank you for your interest.
Please contact either Diane (603-436-6161) or Margie (603-436-0641)
either through this website or by calling us directly.

Art For Food

Portsmouth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
150 Griffin Rd, Suite #1
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-436-2204

Portsmouth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Website

Event Details

Portsmouth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
will be hosting a truly unique art sale to benefit the Seacoast Family Food Pantry.

They have teamed up with Image Arts, Etc. of Portsmouth to produce some striking local photographs available on a variety of media.

It has been said that these images resonate with many viewers because they showcase the natural beauty that abounds in the Seacoast. Equally as striking is that they are available in a unique variety of sizes, with images ranging in size from 16” x 20” to 12’ x 3’.

And to remind you that this is all about FOOD, refreshments will be provided by Mizuna of Greenland.