Gather

06/05/2026

It’s officially June – which means Fill the Hall is just a few weeks away!

Join us on Saturday, June 20, from 9am to 12pm at The Music Hall for Fill the Hall 2026, presented by Green & Company!

When you give to Fill the Hall, you’re helping ensure kids across the Seacoast have the foods they need to thrive through Gather’s Meals 4 Kids program. Every donation makes a difference, and together, we can help keep kids fueled all summer long.

We can’t wait to see you there!

🥫Not sure where to start? Check out our Wish List for some ideas! https://gathernh.org/fill-the-hall

We’re excited to once again partner with The Music Hall and New Hampshire Outright for an incredible weekend centered on love, community, and giving back.

Special thanks to our amazing sponsors: Green & Company, The Friendly Toast, Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, and Kennebunk Savings .

06/04/2026

Hearing someone like Billy Shore recognize and champion Gather’s work is incredibly meaningful for our team.

Billy - founder & executive chair of Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry) - has spent decades leading the national conversation around hunger, dignity, and food access - so to have him visit us here at our Community Food Center in Portsmouth, and see him so clearly understand and elevate Gather’s mission is both humbling and energizing.

His words reinforce what we see every day: that addressing hunger means more than simply providing food. It means building systems rooted in dignity, community, and long-term food security.

We’re grateful for his support and proud to be part of a growing movement reimagining what hunger relief can look like.

Read more of what Billy had to say about his visit to Gather here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/billyshore_nokidhungry-hunger-foodassistance-activity-7462440595685494784-q6Mk

Didn't have a change to read our earlier post about his visit? Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DyCRc2QN5/

06/04/2026

A Hero Among Us!

If you tuned into WMUR-TV ’s "Heart of NH" this past Sunday, you likely saw a familiar face - Gather’s own Mary Fernald, where she was featured as a 'Hero Among Us'!

With a passion for serving others and a gift for connection, Mary exemplifies Gather’s mission of building food security in welcoming and dignified ways each and every day - making a difference in the lives of our members, our volunteers and our entire team.

Thank you, Mary - and congratulations! 🎉 We are grateful for your hard work, dedication and compassion!

Be sure to check out the full interview here!

Mary Fernald is the special projects coordinator at Gather Community Pantry. Nine years ago, she started as a volunteer, knowing firsthand the help Gather provides.

06/03/2026

At Gather, we see every day how powerful community support can be in the lives of our neighbors.

We are thankful to the members of Exeter NH Stake - The Church of Jesus Christ for their generosity and commitment to helping ensure everyone has access to healthy food.

06/03/2026

Our Fresh Start Culinary Workforce Training program students have been hard at work - both in and out of the kitchen! Recently, we caught up with them as they practiced their trussing skills alongside Gather's Chef Instructor Tim Barr.

But Fresh Start is about more than learning how to cook. Students gain hands-on culinary training while building valuable life and workplace skills, including teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Combined, these skills can help open doors to employment, build confidence, and create new opportunities.

Know someone ready for a Fresh Start?

Applications are open, with new cohorts beginning throughout the summer and fall.

Learn more and apply: https://www.gathernh.org/fresh-start

06/02/2026

Mark your calendars - NH Gives is one week away! 💚

Gather is participating in NH Gives, New Hampshire’s largest statewide day of giving, from 5 p.m. on June 9 through 5 p.m. on June 10.

⭐️ Bookmark our NH Gives page today and get ready to give next Tuesday: https://www.nhgives.org/organization/gathernh

As the cost of living continues to rise, more of our neighbors are turning to Gather for support, and many are needing more help than ever before.

Through innovative programs that provide fresh produce, proteins, dairy, prepared meals, and other nourishing foods at no cost, Gather is working to ensure that individuals and families across the Seacoast can access the food and resources they need, when they need it most.

At the same time, we're building pathways to long-term food security through culinary workforce training and education, as well as community partnerships that help address the root causes of hunger.

Your support makes this work possible. Together, we can help ensure everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.

06/01/2026

June’s Member News is now available! 📰

In addition to our market schedule, be sure to check out other activities going on this month (page two!), including:
➡ multiple community partners offering their resources at Gather throughout the month,
➡ multiple drop-in garden demonstration sessions with Gather’s Gardening and Gleaning team at the YMCA of the Seacoast.

05/31/2026

Check out where Gather's mobile markets and Fresh Food Bus will be this week!

Are you in need of food for yourself or your family? ➡

Gather offers many programs that provide free food to those who need it throughout the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and Maine:

- Mobile Markets: Gather's mobile markets offer fresh produce and nutritious staple foods in an outdoor farmers market-style setting at no cost. See our monthly schedule for locations and times.

- Fresh Food Bus: Traveling to communities throughout the Seacoast, this food pantry on wheels provides fresh produce, dairy, meats, and dry goods at no cost. See our monthly schedule for locations and times.

- Pantry Market: Located on Heritage Ave in Portsmouth, our Pantry Market offers healthy food options, like fresh produce, dairy, meats and dry foods, in a welcoming supermarket setting at no cost.

Learn more: https://www.gathernh.org/need-food

05/30/2026

Want to learn how to grow your own food and other gardening skills this summer? 💚

Gather is offering free gardening classes throughout the summer at the YMCA of the Seacoast in Portsmouth - no sign up required, just drop in!

June’s classes focus on seedling maintenance and techniques that help you maximize your harvest all season long, in addition to pollinator and flower garden tips! Check out topics and times below:

Seedling Maintenance & Succession Planting 🌱
June 2 - 8am to 10am
June 4 - 4pm to 6pm

Pollinator and Flower Gardens 🌼
June 16 - 8am to 10am
June 18 - 4pm to 6pm

Wondering what to bring? Gather will provide all the materials needed for the class, including garden gloves.
What should you wear? We suggest that closed-toed shoes and gardening attire be worn (i.e., clothing you are willing to get dirty).

Learn more: https://gathernh.org/grow-for-gather

05/29/2026

You’ve heard us talk about Fill the Hall – but how does it work?

On June 20, bring non-perishable food donations or monetary gifts to The Music Hall between 9am and 12pm!

You can drive right up to The Music Hall’s marquee at 28 Chestnut Street where you’ll be greeted by Gather volunteers and staff who will be ready to help unload your car! Want to avoid traffic? Come early, between 9 and 11am!

Learn more about Fill the Hall 2026 – presented by Green & Company at: https://gathernh.org/fill-the-hall

Questions? Contact Kate Constantine at [email protected]

In partnership with The Music Hall and New Hampshire Outright.