We need your help

LISTEN is addressing record-high demand for help with food, fuel, and housing across the Upper Valley. Your support this giving season means that we can help your neighbors experiencing hardship.


Can you join us with a gift today? Thank you.

Beginning today, January 22, 2024, the CANAAN store and donation center will be closed for renovations. We do not have a hard reopening date at this time.

Listening to local needs for a better Upper Valley community.

At LISTEN we are passionate about helping families and individuals secure the resources that they need to be safe, fed, and housed. If you live in the Upper Valley and you could use assistance, we are here for you.

Contact LISTEN today.

LISTEN Community Services 50 Years Logo

50 years of listening to local needs for a better Upper Valley community.

At LISTEN we are passionate about helping families and individuals secure the resources that they need to be safe, fed, and housed. If you live in the Upper Valley and you could use assistance, we are here for you.

Contact LISTEN today.

Food & Community Dinners

Housing and Heating Assistance

Clothes & Home Goods

Food & Community Dinners

Housing and Heating Assistance

Clothes & Home Goods

Upper Valley Community Joining together

Building a stronger community through humanity and kindness.

Last year LISTEN provided...

361

families in NH and VT whose evictions were prevented

1556

families received heating or electric assistance

36789

home-cooked meals served to our dinner guests

11033

visits to our food pantry by individuals and families

LISTEN bridges the gap for our Upper Valley community with resources that change lives for the better.

Our vision is of an Upper Valley community that generously supports individuals and families in their efforts to achieve and maintain successful independence. Every day we see the power of coming together to help fellow community members who are struggling to make ends meet. Thanks to your generosity, a record number of neighbors are receiving food, heating and housing assistance through LISTEN. Lives are changed for the better because of caring and committed people like you.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our impact in the Upper Valley community is supported by our many programs.

LISTEN’s mission is to provide services and support to meet the basic needs of neighbors who have fallen on hard times. Our service coordinators speak every day with community members who are facing obstacles such as job loss, illness, temporary displacement, medical bills, or other unexpected debt or expenses. LISTEN connects them with a variety of resources to make sure that those who are the most vulnerable —seniors, families, people working two or even three jobs— avoid the downward spiral that can accompany this distress. 

Community Dinners


LISTEN’s hearty three-course dinners are served FREE of charge to the public Monday - Friday - 4:30PM - 5:30PM. 

Learn more about LISTEN's

Community Dinners.

Housing Helpers


LISTEN’s Housing Helpers program provides grants to prevent our Upper Valley neighbors from falling into financial crisis and homelessness. Learn more about Housing Helpers.

Heating Helpers


Winter is long and cold and our community needs heat. LISTEN Community Services can help pay for fuel and prevent utility disconnection. Learn more about

Heating Helpers.

Food Pantry


LISTEN’s food pantry in Lebanon is open on weekdays and walk-ins are welcome. We provide 1-2 weeks of groceries each month to anyone in our service area. Learn more about LISTEN's Food Pantry.

Thrift Stores


LISTEN features the largest second-hand store system in the region with three convenient shops in NH and VT.  Learn where you can donate goods or shop our

Thrift Stores.

Summer Camp Scholarships


LISTEN's Summer Camp Scholarship Program provides need-based camp scholarships to Upper Valley children from ages 6-14 for one week of camp. Learn more about LISTEN's

Summer Camp Scholarships.

We Need Your Help

Help provide the care our Upper Valley family needs during tough times.

The level of demand across the Upper Valley for basic services has risen steadily over the last several years. The good news is that you can make a difference and ensure that our neighbors who are experiencing hardship can move forward, rebuild, and thrive. When you support LISTEN, you provide critical resources for them as they work towards greater self-sufficiency. Your caring means that they have food, heating, electricity, and hot water, and a place to call home. Every dollar you give is used to respond quickly, when action is most needed.

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As so many of us know, recovery from addiction is a lifelong process for individuals and families. Recently, LISTEN was able to provide assistance to a strong soul amongst us to pay for his next month’s rent and find a new apartment to call home. This neighbor has been feeling very overwhelmed, and needed to stop his job search in order to stay focused on his recovery. Now he has a safe place to be every night, and an important support in place to continue to meet his sobriety goals.


Anonymous

"Hunger is a growing problem here in the Upper Valley, especially for those recently unemployed. When our neighbor Julia visited LISTEN’s food pantry, we were ready to send her home with fresh produce, cereal, and more. Julia works at one of the local hospitals, and her husband recently lost his job. They could no longer make their income stretch to feed their family of four and pay for other necessities. Julia was hesitant to come by and ask for support. Our staff boosted her spirits and told her to come back soon."


Julia

"With food lines growing at both our pantry and community dinners, we see the power of being there for our neighbors each day. So when Shawn, a father of three came to the dinner hall, our mission was clear. Shawn had just lost his job at a local restaurant and he needed to ensure his children had a nutritious meal at the end of each day. He had no immediate income and was worried about feeding his kids yesterday and today, and frankly, until he could determine next steps for them. Shawn and his family have enjoyed “to go” dinners six nights a week while he has looked to secure another job."


Shawn

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