The We Care Food Pantry

To feed the community physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally — that is the mission that Roger and Betty Eaton set out for themselves when they created two food pantries in New Hampshire, one in Milton and one in Plymouth. The two pantries now serve a total of more than 300 families every week, providing up to 5,000 pounds of food in Milton and up to 3,000 pounds in Plymouth. And that’s just the beginning of all that they do.

It was Roger — a veteran, retired, and a longtime volunteer in all kinds of organizations — who started the ball rolling back in 2016. He knew the person running the pantry at his church was leaving, so he asked Betty what she thought about running it. Betty, who was looking for new volunteer work at the time, said yes.

The first pantry, now distinct from the church, soon grew into two. In both, Betty says, “We never say no to anybody; it’s a food pantry that does not turn anyone away.” And it’s not just food that people get. The Eatons, with Roger as Chair of the Board and Betty as Director, also act as an informal social service agency.

If someone needs food stamps, an application for disability, housing, insurance, they’re told how to get them. Sometimes UNH Cooperative Extension will have an informational display about nutrition, giving out samples and recipes. Or a nurse intern from UNH will conduct a blood pressure or COVID-19 clinic and give flu shots. And every Friday, clothes and household items are given out. “Basically, we give our clients the resources they need, all for free,” Betty says. “It’s a one-stop shop for them.”

The Eatons do their good work, completely unpaid, with the help of a lot of volunteers —39 of them. Many are older people, one 92 years old. “He’s amazing,” Betty says. “He shows up every Friday in Milton, sets up the sign, sets up tables for clothing. And there’s another man, 84 years old, who cooks hot dogs for everyone. They once again feel like they have a purpose.”

When there’s a need, a volunteer will often step in. One of the volunteers saw the food supplies dwindling, so she bought a freezer to accommodate more donations. Then, another volunteer started to bring in food to fill that freezer every week.

“We’ve become a family,” Betty says. “I make something for lunch every Thursday and Friday, and we all sit down around a table together and socialize and fellowship. We’re literally loving, nurturing and encouraging the volunteers as well. So it’s like two big things that you’re doing.”

Those two big things are supported by donations from individuals and businesses, including Service Credit Union. “The credit union is a big one,” Roger says. “They give us a substantial donation.” He adds that when there’s been a need, Service CU has been there for them, whether it’s a food drive or help paying the bills.

It’s helpful because there are a lot of expenses. “Wintertime is especially rough,” Betty says. “We have a lot more clients coming in, and more bills coming in, so we’re usually very low on finances at that point.” They also have the expense of buying and maintaining three trucks to transport food from the New Hampshire Food Bank to their two pantries.

Both Roger and Betty work long hours, sometimes 12 or 14 hours a day. Ask Roger why they do it, and his answer is simple: “We like to help people, and it seemed like something we could do.”

The We Care Food Pantry marked Veterans Day by allowing veterans to be first to shop. There was also a table display and patriotic music.