HAMPTON – In temporary digs since a fire destroyed it three years ago, St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Community Kitchen now has a permanent home, which opens at 5 p.m. on April 6.
But the nonprofit organization needs to raise $75,000 by June 30 to assure its financing.
After sharing the space with the former Elderly Daycare Center for a while, on Jan. 1 the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) purchased the building at 441R Lafayette Road. The facility will house not only the Community Kitchen, with a history of serving more than 10,000 free meals a year, but also its Clothes Closet, which provides free clothing for those in need.
The SVdPhas been 'very lucky'
Located in the town’s municipal parking lot, the new site is the “perfect location,” according to Paul Nicholson, of the SVdP’s food pantry. The organization’s been busy raising funds and renovating the space.
“We’re very lucky,” Nicholson said. “We have a team of people who volunteered to do the renovations. They’ve painted. We have new flooring. We have restaurant tables coming. When we open, it will be very nice.”
The SVdP raised some funds already from generous individuals and businesses who have helped, and they have received grants, Nicholson said. But it’s a challenge grant from a New Hampshire funding source that will bring in the rest of the money needed to pay off the project.
“If we can raise $75,000 by June 30, a challenge grant will match it with another $75,000,” Nicholson said.
The money will come from a fund left by Lois Dickerman, who died at 103 years of age leaving a charitable legacy intended to help feed the hungry throughout New Hampshire.
The lofty goal is a tall order, but both Nicholson and, Lisa Parker, who runs the Community Kitchen, believe it can happen. The Seacoast, they said, has many willing to help others.
“People are extremely generous here,” Parker said. “For example, NextEra, the (owner of the nuclear) power plant gave us industrial grade refrigerators, and those are expensive.”
According to Nicholson, even with the trials and tribulations the Community Kitchen has endured over the past three years since its original Ashworth Avenue location burned down, somehow the organization has found ways to continue helping the food insecure in the Seacoast.
“God has been good to us so far,” Nicholson said.
Opened in 2003 at Hampton Beach in a facility provided by Preston Real Estate, St. Vincent de Paul’s Community Kitchen served about 1,000 meals a month to those in need, providing a place to eat a hot meal most weekdays. When the fire hit in April 2018, the volunteers who run the organization scrambled for temporary spaces from which to operate. But, they knew something permanent was needed to provide stability for their clients.
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The coronavirus pandemic offered another hurdle to leap but when the Community Kitchen opens on Tuesday, April 6, Parker said, clients can walk or drive up to the building and get a prepared meal to take home. The schedule for take-out meals is from 5 to 6 p.m., she said, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
COVID-19 restrictions
The Community Kitchen closes for the summer on June 10, Parker said, but when it opens again in September, she’s hoping restaurant COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted and she can serve sit-down meals where food and conversation can be shared.
“I’m hoping when we open we can get back to serving about 50 people a night,” Parker said.
Completely run by volunteers, Parker said, those who do enjoy the experience.
“People love helping out at the Kitchen,” Parker said. “They love serving. The Rotary comes in every other Monday. I do 100 percent need cooks, and groups who’ll sign up to come in regularly.”
Also on the list of needs is a stove for the new Community Kitchen and local artists.
“I’d like to have a mural painted on the side of the building,” Parker said. “I’d like to spice up the place.”
In addition to the Community Kitchen and Clothes Closet, since 1989 St. Vincent de Paul Society has run its food pantry, located at 289 Lafayette Road, in Hampton. It currently serves from 40 to 50 families every week, Nicholson said, offering a box with a two-week supply of food.
An IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity, donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society are tax-deductible. Contributions can be made via Pay Pal on the organization’s websitesvdphampton.com. Checks can also be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 289 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH 03842.
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