ROCHESTER -- When you walk into Revolution Food Pantry you’ll receive many things. A warm greeting, a shopping list, time to browse for your needs and one of Food Pantry Director Betty Eaton’s mottos for life on a sign near the entrance to “choose joy.”
Located at 87 Lowell St., RFP set up shop in the basement of Revolution Church and has been serving Strafford County for more than 12 years since local woman Joan Gagnon created it. It was turned over to Eaton and her husband Roger’s care just two years ago when they decided to expand it.
Open Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the pantry serves clients from all walks of life -- single parents, the homeless, families in need, people who have been laid off or those who have had an accident, are ill or disabled.
“I feel like it could happen to anyone,” Eaton said, adding that volunteers never judge anyone or their circumstances. She says some food pantries require a listed address for those visiting but RFP will never turn the homeless away, and has even noticed a recent increase in the number of elderly visiting who “have to choose between medications and food.”
Eaton has plans to further develop RFP by expanding its resources corner and would eventually like to be open more days of the week. She’d like to serve lunch to people and have a laptop available so they can help with things like resumes and job, health and insurance applications.
“We have some people that can’t read and can’t write,” she said. “The goal is to help meet their needs and find resources for them.”
Those visiting the pantry are able to pick up food and items once a month.
“If I say take what you need, they do,” she said, adding 99 percent of the people coming through the pantry never take more than they need. “When you put it on them it makes a huge difference. And they even thank us for letting them help.”
Eaton added that many clients return to give back in ways such as donating items to the pantry or volunteering.
“Our people are very honest and very grateful,” she said. RFP’s current Thursday volunteers consist almost entirely of former pantry clients. “When you show [people] unconditional love they’ll continue to try and improve themselves.”
She finds many people who come through RFP’s doors looking for help are really looking for someone to talk to and someone to listen. She said she’s always available for that and believes in building relationships with people who frequent so volunteers can give encouragement and help them move forward.
But she’s learned it can be hard for people to walk into the building for the first time so she tries to make the experience easier by setting up tables and decorations while clients shop for their needs. “I wanted to make it a shopping experience,” Eaton said.
Ninety percent of their food comes from the New Hampshire Food Bank, according to Eaton, and the other 10 percent from other resources. Throughout the state, “N.H. Food Bank serves more than 425 agencies,” added Roger Eaton.
“When we’re out, we’re out,” said Eaton, who is always happy to accept food donations. Among the many tables and shelves of food, the pantry accepts and gives away adult and children’s clothing, shoes, home needs, and personal hygiene items. They could always use more. They have helped dress clients who have job interviews or accepted positions.
RFP has two big items on its wish list this year. With the upcoming cold season, it needs a type of vehicle that will allow it to have products loaded and delivered on pallets to the pantry. The Eatons feel a box truck would allow them to fill their needs more easily and help keep food and items that are transferred covered. As of now, they have been relying on a volunteer who offers them his pick up truck when needed.
And the second thing? “The key is sustainable funding,” Roger Eaton said.
The Eatons set a goal for themselves and the pantry to gather at least 100 volunteers who will donate as little as $10 a month to help supply their needs. They said having donations they can depend on each month would help them to keep going stronger and longer. So far they have 13 committed.
As they continue to work for the community, they have many upcoming events, including a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., and the preparation and distribution of Thanksgiving baskets. This year, RFP has committed to giving 200 Thanksgiving baskets and 200 stockings in addition to serving at its regular weekly hours.
“I can’t always fix everything, but I can feed them,” Eaton said of those in need this season.
RFP accepts monetary donations through its website http://revolutionfoodpantry.com/ in the tab marked “Giving.” RFP is always accepting food and item donations to be dropped off at the 87 Lowell St. location by calling (603) 923-9456.