In March 2020, when the impact of COVID-19 became a reality in the Monadnock Region, a great deal of uncertainty prevailed. In addition to all the other questions that arose, many wondered how children who were already facing food insecurity would be affected.

More than 450 students in the ConVal School District were eligible for free and reduced school lunches before COVID hit. Would the pandemic and the switch to remote learning mean that access to nutritious food would become a challenge for additional families?

A challenge, maybe, but the community was not about to let children go hungry. Schools, faith communities and other local organizations were already focused on food insecurity faced by children and families. All of those groups, with additional help from others, including the school bus companies and bus drivers, immediately began formulating plans to implement the new safety protocols while still making sure food was distributed to those who needed it.

ConVal End 68 Hours of Hunger is a good example of how one local organization never faltered in addressing its mission — ending childhood hunger in America, one school at a time. A committed leadership team worked closely with the school administration and staff, revising processes to ensure that weekend bags of food remained accessible to the students through every change in school protocols.

Individuals stepped forward, volunteering to shop for food, stock shelves, pack bags and deliver the food. The first year, prior to the availability of vaccines, volunteers placed themselves at risk even while following the guidelines; their commitment to the children took precedence.

The greater community supported these renewed efforts by responding immediately to a call for help. Even when faith communities and organizations were not meeting in person, individuals in the community brought food to newly established drop-off sites and increased their financial donations. The New Hampshire Food Bank sought ways to secure additional food and made that food available at reduced cost to member agencies. With the new donations and lowered costs, ConVal End 68 Hours of Hunger was able to maximize the purchasing power of each dollar spent.

The challenges of the pandemic required flexibility and collaboration. But as a result of this tremendous outpouring of support and help, at no time in these past two years was a request for food not met. One parent told us, “I’ve never felt so loved and so supported.” We are thankful for this community’s response.

Food insecurity among our children will continue to be an issue regardless of the existence of COVID. The resources to help are in place, but families and children need to be aware of them. Our community can continue to address food insecurity by making donations of food, money and time and by helping to spread the message that help is available. For information or to get involved, go to end68hoursofhunger.org.

This article was submitted by Linda Caracappa and Carol Cleary, ConVal End 68 Hours of Hunger program coordinators, and the leadership team.