For Hunger Action Month, shoppers at Shaw’s in Peterborough on Saturday helped to benefit the ConVal Regional End 68 Hours of Hunger program by donating both food and dollars, in a event organized by Peterborough Fire and Rescue.

Members of the squad were at Shaw’s on Saturday with one of the town’s ambulances, loading donated food items into the ambulance, while cash donations were deposited into a firefighter boot. Shaw’s provided a display of food items requested by End 68 Hours of Hunger for shoppers to purchase from. In total, residents donated 662 items of food and $1,147 in cash.

Dan Heffernan, a paramedic with Peterborough Fire and Rescue, said this is the third “Stuff-an-Ambulance” event that the department has held this year. He said the cash donations are particularly helpful.

“They can stretch it – what we spend $100 on, they spend $50 on,” Heffernan said.

End 68 Hours of Hunger is a program that provides backpacks with meals to children for the weekend, when they cannot rely on school breakfasts and lunches. 

“It’s very near and dear to all of us, especially those of us in public safety, which is there to serve the public,” Heffernan said. “It’s nice to be able to give back in this way, and know that we’re making a direct impact, and to be able to do this for the kids.”

Throughout September, businesses across the ConVal towns will be collecting food for End 68 Hours of Hunger. The suggested items for the drive include canned chicken and tuna, canned pastas, fruit cups and macaroni and cheese.

Collection sites include Alberto’s Italian Restaurant in Bennington, Edmunds Hardware in Antrim, Rick & Diane’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Antrim, Toll Booth Tavern in Francestown, Harvester Market in Greenfield, Common Place in Bennington, Monadnock Country Club, Francestown Village Store, Hancock Market, Studio 105 Hair Salon in Peterborough, Dublin General Store, Grappelli's Pizza in Peterborough, Brady’s American Grill in Peterborough, Beepa and Lulu’s Restaurant in Peterborough and the Maple Station Market in Peterborough.

After September, collection bins will be permanently stationed at the Peterborough Fire Department, Dublin Community Church, Union Congregational Church in Peterborough, Rick & Diane’s, Bixby Memorial Library in Francestown and Hancock Congregational Church.

Monetary donations are tax-deductible. Donations can be made by check to ConVal End 68 Hours and mailed to ConVal End 68 Hours of Hunger, c/o SAU 1, 106 Hancock Road, Peterborough. Donations can also be made online at end68hoursofhunger.org. Those donating online should specify that their donation is for the ConVal program.

To volunteer, contact Carol Cleary at 603-588-2468 or Linda Caracappa at convalnh@end68hoursofhunger.org.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.