Bread & Roses, Inc.

We have long been a center of hope and caring to the thousands of people in the Merrimack Valley who are struggling for survival. Founded in 1980, our primary purpose is to ease the hunger of people in our community by providing a well-balanced, nutritious evening meal. From the beginning, people of all different creeds, backgrounds and experiences have joined us as dinner guests, volunteers, and donors. We welcome that diversity, realizing that the coming together of so many people is the first step in breaking down barriers and contributing to a new order based on sharing, love, peace and justice. At Bread and Roses, our goal is to continue to provide free services to our guests without interruption and we are constantly looking to improve the health and general well being of the community members. The food, hygiene products, clothing, and medical supplies have become a vital part of the community's ability to live a healthier and more stable life style. Services: In addition to serving evening meals, Bread and Roses provides emergency food, emergency clothing and hygiene products, medical services, holiday gift bags, and school backpacks to the community. Over the course of the last few years, the number of requests for emergency food, clothing, and hygiene products has increased dramatically. Fortunately, we have been able to provide those in need with basic hygiene products like soap, shampoo, deodorant and razors. Additionally, we offer doctor consultations in a fully equipped, private medical examination room every Wednesday evening, which have been consistently used by our many guests and provide some semblance of adequate health care. Funding: As a certified 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization, Bread & Roses relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. We neither request nor accept federal or state funding. Organizational Structure and Size: Bread and Roses has over 150 dedicated volunteers with diverse backgrounds, including doctors, lawyers, engineers and professionals. The majority of the volunteers have been a part of the organization for many years. There are currently two full time and six part-time paid employees. The staffing consists of a full-time Executive Director, a full-time Program & Development Coordinator, two part–time food coordinators, one part-time assistant food coordinator, two paid kitchen prep staff, and one maintenance person. The current Executive Director has been with the organization for over 34 years and has a wide breadth of experience in the food and private industry. Our food coordinators and maintenance employees have all been long-time volunteers at Bread and Roses.