MANCHESTER, N.H. – Soldiers from the Army Reserve Careers Division, 1st Battalion, Area 7 out of Londonderry, N.H. delivered more than 2,000 pounds of food to a local homeless veterans shelter in Manchester, N.H. Sept. 20.
The food drive was in cooperation with American Legion Post 27, who partially funded the project to feed veterans in need of assistance, said Master Sgt. Christine Hughes, leader of the ARCD in Area 7.
There are seven areas covered by the ARCD all over New England, and they were all having a friendly competition to see who could donate the most food. Whichever area donated the most at the end of a one-year period would give all collected goods to a local veterans’ charity of their choice, said Hughes.
The American Legion Post 27 generously donated $450 to help Area 7 in their efforts to collect donations.
Area 7 won the competition and chose to donate the collected goods to Liberty House of Manchester, N.H., said Hughes.
Liberty House has beds for 10 veterans, and serves as a food bank for other local shelters in need of assistance, said Hughes.
Along with Hughes, Sgt. 1st Class Keith Johnson, Michael Shannon, Jason Merrill and Ken Dionne participated in delivering the 2000 pounds of goods to the Liberty House, said Hughes.
“It was very rewarding to go over to the Liberty House and deliver it,” said Hughes. “They had five veterans there, eagerly awaiting us. They were very excited, very happy and extremely thankful.”
The Liberty House was also grateful because they had just given some of their food stores to Harbor House, another veteran’s home in Manchester, said Hughes.
“It was really rewarding to give back to vets who had served this country,” said Hughes.