Capital Region Food Program to distribute holiday vouchers on Dec. 14

A customer walks into Market Basket at Fort Eddy Road in Concord.

A customer walks into Market Basket at Fort Eddy Road in Concord. Monitor file photo

By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI

Monitor staff

Published: 12-11-2024 3:48 PM

Modified: 12-11-2024 4:07 PM


Elena Alois jokes that the Capital Region Food Program is her family business.

Her grandfather started the organization – which aims to provide food to people in need in the Concord area – over 50 years ago. She’s the third generation at the helm, serving as the board chair. 

This weekend, the annual Holiday Project will launch, which provides vouchers for people to purchase food at local Market Baskets from Dec. 14 to Jan. 31. 

Alois anticipates the program will help 2,200 families, or roughly 7,000 individuals, in Concord and surrounding towns. 

Since 1974, the Capital Region Food Program has provided holiday meals for families in need. 

In the wake of the pandemic, the organization shifted focus to providing vouchers instead of holiday boxes filled with staples like carrots, apples, pasta and stuffing. The switch allows recipients to shop for their own food. 

“For us, it was a real opportunity to get to where we are today,” she said. “Obviously it was not something to celebrate in that regard but it was at least for our organization a silver lining.”

With the flexibility that the voucher awards provide, the holiday program has seen a 25% increase in participation in the last two years. 

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Alois does not anticipate this interest slowing down anytime soon. 

“We’re also anticipating while we will see an increase this year, that we might see even more next year because there could be changes on the federal level to the different types of programs that are offered,” she said. “That might be pushed for more state and local community responsibilities.” 

Recipients are identified through municipal welfare agencies and partnerships with religious organizations. 

Last year, the holiday program provided over $150,000 in vouchers to 2,250 recipients. 

Outside of the holiday season, the Capital Region Food Program also runs a year-round distribution program, where they provide donations to help stock local food pantries, such as Christ the King Parish in Concord. The organization is a private, nonprofit run entirely by volunteers.

To donate: Visit capitalregionfoodprogram.org