10/06/2026
This was a nice write up from the NH Food Bank!
📍 Agency Partner Spotlight: Alton Community Services Food Pantry
Step inside the Alton Community Services Food Pantry, and you might think you've entered a small neighborhood grocery store.
Under the leadership of Chris Racine, the pantry has embraced a choice-model approach, allowing clients to select the foods and household items that best meet their needs. From neatly stocked shelves filled with pantry staples to freezers stocked with meat and poultry, the space is thoughtfully organized, welcoming, and designed to preserve dignity for every visitor.
One unique feature of the pantry is a dedicated section for specialty dietary needs, including low-sugar, low-sodium, and gluten-free items. These products are often more expensive and harder for families to afford, but offering them alongside everyday essentials ensures that neighbors with dietary restrictions have access to the same quality and variety of foods as everyone else.
Serving approximately 40 households each week, the pantry is much more than a place to receive food. It's a community gathering place. Clients often arrive early to visit with friends and neighbors, and volunteers help create a warm atmosphere through friendly conversation, music, books, and small treats that help put people at ease.
One client, a mother of five, shared her relief at being able to get nearly everything her family needed from the pantry, saying, "The only thing I have to buy is milk and butter." Stories like hers highlight the critical role local food pantries play in helping families stretch their budgets and put nutritious food on the table.
Beyond food assistance, Alton Community Services connects community members with resources for housing, utilities, medical expenses, employment support, and more through a strong network of local partners and dedicated volunteers.
We're grateful for agency partners like Alton Community Services Food Pantry, whose compassion, creativity, and commitment help ensure our neighbors feel welcomed, supported, and respected.
💙 Thank you to Chris and the entire volunteer team for the incredible work you do every day.
