MANCHESTER – The Bedford Knights of Columbus and members of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Bedford recently joined together to raise more than $13,000 during their 2021 Turkey Drive to support the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire. The Bedford Knights of Columbus, Council 12988, spearheaded the food drive, which included contributions from the parish community of St. Elizabeth Seton Church and several other organizations and businesses.

“The Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth Seton parish in Bedford are very pleased that we were once again able to provide this donation to the New Hampshire Food Bank,” said Michael Pitaro, grand knight of Council 12988. “I am extremely proud of the council members and parishioners who donated to this worthy cause.”

The Bedford Knights of Columbus began supporting the New Hampshire Food Bank more than 15 years ago by donating a few turkeys. Since then, the initiative has grown considerably. Over the past 12 years the campaign has raised more than $136,400 to help meet the holiday food needs in New Hampshire. Msgr. John Quinn, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton and chaplain of the Bedford Knights of Columbus, was instrumental in the initial launch of the New Hampshire Food Bank and continues to be a tireless supporter.

“The New Hampshire Food Bank is incredibly grateful to the Knights of Columbus Council 12988, St. Elizabeth Seton and Msgr. Quinn, and others for their continued generosity and support,” said Eileen Groll Liponis, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused an increase in food insecurity among New Hampshire residents. An estimated one in nine people in New Hampshire do not know when or where their next meal will come from, including 12 percent of children. Partnerships like this are critical in helping us feed our neighbors experiencing hunger.”

“We are very pleased that the parish and our parishioners were able to reach out to the New Hampshire Food Bank through the Knights of Columbus to help this worthy cause in their mission to address the issue of hunger in our communities,” Quinn added.

During 2020, the New Hampshire Food Bank distributed more than 17 million pounds of food to its more than 400 partner agencies statewide. This year, as a result of the increased demand, the New Hampshire Food Bank expects to continue increasing food distribution.

For more information and to donate, visit www.nhfoodbank.org.