Jane Goodman, executive director of the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter (right), is shown with State Rep. Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) (center) and House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) during a tour of the facility at 2 Quincy St. on Nov. 13. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA — House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) and State Rep. Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) recently toured the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter to hear about the new hardships that have been thrust upon families already struggling to make ends meet.

During the Nov. 13 visit, NSKS Executive Director Jane Goodman said that on Nov. 4, 240 families came knocking as benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were still on hold.

As a result of the 43-day government shutdown, she said the NSKS lost a $20,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration.

“We’re pretty lean, we feel it,” she said.

Goodman said the food pantry is set up like a mini mart with everything from fruit and pasta to diapers and baby formula, the latter items are not covered by SNAP.

“When you have SNAP, you can buy food, but you can’t buy toiletries,” said Goodman.

Looking ahead, she said the NSKS is in the process of raising $100,000 for a mobile food pantry. To date, $90,000 has been raised. She said the plan is to partner with GrowNashua and launch the initiative in the spring.

“They’ve already laid the groundwork,” said Goodman.

Joseph Bates, chairman of the Board of Directors, spoke about the success of the Meals for Kids program, which began in June 2017 to augment food service in the Nashua School District.

“The feedback from the schools is tremendous,” he said. “Those kids are far less disruptive in class.”

Legislators also toured the organization’s shelter, which opened in 2022 at 35 Spring St. Goodman said the facility is serviced by a team of case workers as well as medical personnel from Lamprey Health Care.

Goodman said the shelter can accommodate up to 12 families. She also said individuals can be on the Section 8 waiting list for years only to find that no apartments are available.

“Sometimes it feels like you’re running an inn,” said Goodman. “We are in a housing crisis, there’s no question.”

Therefore, at the end of 2023, a group of apartments were opened on the shelter’s fourth floor for individuals who are chronically homeless.

Telerski said the NSKS has continued to thrive in the face of adversity.

“The Nashua Soup Kitchen is doing incredible work,” she said. “Because of failed Republican leadership, they’re being forced to do more with less and they’re still working harder than ever to keep families fed and safe. They show what real leadership looks like.”

Simpson said the visit underscored the suffering of so many Granite State families.

“We just lived through the longest shutdown ever, families lost SNAP help and now health insurance premiums are spiking because of Republican cuts,” she said. “That’s the cost of a rigged economy. The wealthy and big corporations get handouts while working families fall behind. Families deserve stability, dignity and a fair chance. That starts with a state government that invests in its people.”

Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) said state leaders must “step up with real investments” rather than continuing to fund tax breaks for multimillion dollar corporations.

“The staff and volunteers we met are doing heroic work,” she said. “But they shouldn’t have to fix problems caused by years of underfunding and bad choices in Concord by Republicans.”

Since it was formally established in 1989, the NSKS received the Walter J. Dunfey Award for Excellence in Management on two occasions and was named Champions in Action – HUNGER by Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV in 2006.