All Brite gears up for another big effort in aid Salvation Army's food pantry & soup kitchen

LACONIA — Several years ago, according to business owner Rob Stewart, All Brite Cleaning & Restoration had been hired to do some work at the Laconia Salvation Army. While there, the workers over heard staff talking about how the food pantry was becoming depleted just as the holidays were approaching. The company responded and started a tradition of support for the organization's food pantry and soup kitchen.

The first year, All Brite offered all customers a discount if they donated five canned food items to the food pantry. It provided some relief, but Stewart said the need was clearly for a larger infusion of food items. The next year they started a food drive where employees volunteered their time to staff a station outside of local supermarkets on Saturdays in December. All Brite and Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network, a Nashua-based company, agree to each match every can donated by shoppers. "From there, it kind of took on a life of its own," said Stewart.

The food drive is now entering its fourth year and so far has contributed about 16,000 items to the Laconia Salvation Army's pantry.

"All Brite Cleaning is not a franchise, we're a community-driven business. We try to give back wherever we can," Stewart said.

All Brite added a new wrinkle this year with a bowling tournament, which was held on November 3 at Funspot. Thanks to participation from many local businesses, the inaugural tournament provided $1,068 to kick off the Fourth Annual All Brite Food Drive.

Laconia Salvation Army Captain Steve Warren said that amount would provide about 1,000 soup kitchen meals.

All Brite employees will be collecting non-perishable food items on three days this December. On December 4, 11 and 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, All Brite employees will collect items outside of Market Basket in Tilton. Every item donated will be matched by All Brite, and all items will be donated to the Salvation Army, which will use them in holiday food baskets, groceries for families in need or in the organization's soup kitchen.

CAPTION with ALL BRITE CHECK in AA:

Krysten and Robert Stewart, of All Brite Cleaning and Restoration, are shown here presenting a $1,068 check to Laconia Salvation Army Caption Steve Warren. The money will be used to fund the organization's food pantry and soup kitchen. All Brite will also be operating a food collection at the Market Basket in Tilton on December 4, 11 and 18, which will benefit the Salvation Army's holiday food relief programs. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)