The United Way of Greater Nashua is asking for volunteers to help staff its Saturday food drives. Courtesy photo/United Way of Greater Nashua

NASHUA – The United Way of Greater Nashua is inviting community groups to help fight food insecurity by staffing Saturday food drives at local supermarkets, which collect donated food to support the organization’s daily Pop-Up Pantry free food distributions throughout Greater Nashua.

The United Way operates Pop-Up Pantries each weekday at 11 a.m., rotating locations to increase access across the community. These daily food distributions provide free groceries to neighbors and are supported, in part, by food donated through Saturday food drives held at local grocery stores.

Information about daily Pop-Up Pantry locations is available at: https://unitedwaynashua.org/home/our-work/community-resources/food/.

The United Way is seeking community groups willing to provide all volunteers needed to staff one Saturday food drive. Most food drives require approximately eight volunteers and run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the warmer months. Each Saturday food drive takes place at a different supermarket in the Greater Nashua area.

The volunteer role is simple, friendly and community-focused. Volunteers will greet shoppers as they enter the store, politely ask if they would consider purchasing extra food items to donate, briefly explain that donations support United Way’s weekday Pop-Up Pantries and thank shoppers for their time and generosity.

No special training is required and the role is designed to be respectful, low-pressure and approachable.

The United Way welcomes volunteer teams from faith and church groups, civic and service organizations, school and youth groups (with appropriate adult supervision), corporate and employee volunteer teams and neighborhood or social groups.

By committing to one Saturday, community groups can make a meaningful, manageable contribution to local food access.

“Saturday food drives are a key way the community supports our daily Pop-Up Pantries,” said Sara Ceaser, director of volunteer and community engagement. “When a group staffs an entire drive, their time and energy directly translate into food available for our neighbors during the week.”

Community organizations are also welcome to organize their own food drives to benefit the Pop-Up Pantry program. Groups interested in hosting an independent food drive are encouraged to contact the United Way to coordinate donation details.

In addition, individuals may drop off food donations at the United Way office, 20 Broad St. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering at a Saturday food drive can sign up through the United Way’s volunteer portal, Volunteer Greater Nashua at https://unitedwaynashua.org/item-collection/.

With the high cost of food, Greater Nashua residents continue to struggle with basic expenses. The United Way’s Pop-Up Pantries help meet immediate needs during the week and Saturday food drives help ensure those pantries remain stocked with food donated by the community.