Mobile food pantry plans to return after success at Concord Hospital-Laconia stop

LACONIA — NH Healthy Families’ Green to Go! mobile food pantry stopped at Concord Hospital-Laconia for the first time Wednesday morning, delivering fresh produce, lean meat, and health resources to Lakes Region residents.

Claudia Brooks, NH Healthy Families’ media and event planner, said there were people waiting in line in the visitor parking lot of Concord Hospital-Laconia as early as 9:30 a.m. The event was advertised 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The mobile food pantry opened earlier than anticipated, with roughly 50 people in line by 10:15 a.m.

“We started at probably 10:30 a.m., and we're already easily halfway through our food," Brooks said Wednesday morning. "So, clearly there's a need in this community, and I hope we can come back and do it again."

Green to Go! set up tents in the hospital’s visitor lot, with fresh fruits and vegetables on display for people to bring home. Lean meats, such as frozen pork chops, were distributed as well, along with safety information about food handling.

August is Medicaid open enrollment month, so along with other healthcare resources, staff of NH Healthy Families worked to educate and assist people in navigating Medicaid enrollment.

“There’s been a lot of great questions. A couple of people said they’ve been denied and they need help, so we’re here to help them, and refer them back to" the state Department of Health and Human Services, Brooks said. “We’ve had a couple of people ask about open enrollment and when that is, and how to switch health plans. So I’m glad we’re here to answer some of those questions.”

Concord Hospital-Laconia sent two nurses to help at the Green to Go! event, checking blood pressure and distributing health resources, such as how to safely deal with and remove ticks.

Kerry Pascetta, NH Healthy Families’ director of marketing and communications, said there was a steady flow of people coming through all morning.

“I can tell you right now, we’ll be back.”