NASHUA – Beginning the week of April 13, the Pop-Up Pantries, organized by the United Way of Greater Nashua, will transition back to outdoor locations for the spring and summer months.

This move allows the vital food distribution program to continue serving local residents in accessible neighborhood locations as warmer weather returns.

Since their launch on April 7, 2020, the Pop-Up Pantries have served 45,483 clients, underscoring their vital role in addressing food insecurity in the region.

Recent data indicates that food insecurity continues to affect many New Hampshire residents. According to a 2024 report by Feeding America, approximately 135,200 New Hampshire residents, about 10 percent of the population, experience food insecurity and 13.4 percent of children in the state are impacted, according to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire.

The Pop-Up Pantries operate at various locations throughout Nashua every weekday, ensuring residents have convenient access to essential groceries, including fresh produce and meats. Food is sourced from Regenerative Roots Association, a local nonprofit organization that builds resilient communities through sustainable food practices, donations from shoppers at Ocean State Job Lot, fresh food sourced from local farms by Hillsborough County Gleaners as well as from weekly United Way food drives at local supermarkets. Dedicated volunteers, many of whom have supported the program since its inception, work tirelessly to distribute these resources to the community.

“This program exists because of our volunteers–neighbors who show up consistently to ensure families have reliable access to healthy food,” said Michael Apfelberg, president of the United Way of Greater Nashua.

Outdoor Pop-Up Pantry Schedule (Beginning the week of April 13):

-Mondays: Harbor Care – 45 High St.

-Tuesdays: River Pines Mobile Home Park – 34 Birch Ridge Trail

-Wednesdays: Lamprey Health Care – 22 Prospect St.

-Thursdays: Nashua Community Music School – 2 Lock St.

-Fridays: Crossway Christian Church – 33 Pine St.

All Pop-Up Pantries run from 11 a.m. to noon

In addition to the Pop-Up Pantries, several local organizations–including Tolles Street Mission, Corpus Christi Food Pantry, Southern New Hampshire Rescue Mission, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter and the Salvation Army–continue to provide essential support to residents facing food insecurity. The United Way of Greater Nashua also coordinates weekly food drives and welcomes volunteers to support these efforts.

Those interested in volunteering or donating can visit https://unitedwaynashua.org/item-collection/or contact the United Way at info@unitedwaynashua.org or 603-882-4011. Nonperishable food donations are accepted at the United Way of Greater Nashua office, 20 Broad St., weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.