In April, 2020, in response to the covid pandemic, the MRV Rotary applied to the Rotary District in New Hampshire for a matching grant of $2400. The grant was entitled “Push the Proteins,” and was designed to assist the local food shelf (now the Community Pantry) in paying for expensive, protein-rich foods. Protein deficiency is a risk for food-insecure households and can especially affect senior citizens. The grant was awarded. With matching funds from the local MRV Rotary, $4800 is being made available, in monthly installments, to the Community Pantry for any form of protein-rich foods through mid-2021.
The response from the Community shelf was wonderful:
The protein grant the Rotary procured is terrific! It is allowing us to get better quality meats, cheeses, eggs, etc. to our community members. Families are taking home humanly raised meats without antibiotics or GMOs. We have a couple of elders who have trouble chewing meat, but they can eat sardines - so we get them sardines. People are taking the tofu and tempeh - excited and surprised it is an option. We have ground beef more often now - people love their burgers. And lastly, we can now offer eggs each week.