Lighthouse Credit Union Supports Pease ‘N Carrots 17th Annual Food Drive

Pease ‘N Carrots Kicks Off 17th Annual Food Drive and Expands Efforts to Benefit Gather and Cross Roads House

Community Members Can Drop off Food Donations to Lighthouse Credit Union Branches

Portsmouth, NH – November 15, 2024 – Pease ‘N Carrots has officially launched its 17th annual food drive to support Gather, a seacoast-based non-profit organization that offers innovative programs that build food security in welcoming and dignified ways. In 2024, Gather has been a food resource to over 10,000 individuals each month, an increase of 24% over last year.

This year, Pease ‘N Carrots is expanding its reach beyond Pease International Tradeport by partnering with Lighthouse Credit Union, enabling community members to drop off donations at all its branches including Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, Lee, and Northwood.

Founded in 2007 by Mark Sullivan, president of Seacoast Asset Management and volunteer for the Lighthouse Foundation’s Mission Advisory Council, Pease ‘N Carrots has long been committed to supporting Gather as well as  Cross Roads House, an emergency and transitional shelter in the Seacoast Area. In its seventeenth year, Sullivan aimed to broaden the impact by working with Lighthouse Credit Union and its Foundation to place donation bins inside their branches, accepting contributions through December 4. Requested items include ready-to-eat soups, pasta, cereal, gluten-free items, healthy snacks, canned peas, canned carrots, and boxed non-dairy milk.

“We deeply appreciate the community’s generosity in supporting both Gather and Cross Roads House,” said Sullivan. “The entire Seacoast community has been incredibly supportive of the Pease ‘N Carrots initiative over the last seventeen years, and we’re excited to expand outreach efforts this year through our partnership with Lighthouse Credit Union and its Foundation to make an even greater impact.”

In addition to non-perishable food donations, tax-deductible contributions are also welcome, allowing Gather to stretch every dollar further through its charitable discount.

“Lighthouse Credit Union has proudly supported the Pease ‘N Carrots food drive for years, and our team members fully back this mission,” said Dan Raposa, Executive Director of Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation. “We are grateful for Mark’s contribution as a volunteer for the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts and his vision for how community efforts can have a positive effect when working together.”

Gather, the oldest nonprofit in NH, collaborates with community partners to address the root causes of hunger throughout the Seacoast including Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kittery, Maine, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rye, Seabrook and Stratham