Community Dinners

Six nights a week, anyone in the Upper Valley can come to LISTEN’s dinner hall in White River Junction, VT and receive a free meal. All are welcome! Dinners are served in the dining hall and on a “to go” basis from 4:30pm-5:30pm Monday - Friday.

    Dinner Schedule & Location

    LISTEN Community Dinner Hall is located at 42 Maple St. White River Junction, VT.


    LISTEN’s hearty three-course community dinners are served in the dining hall and on a "to go" basis Monday - Friday between 4:30pm - 5:30pm.


    If your are interested in volunteering for Community Dinners please sign up here or contact Larry at (802) 698-8764.

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    At LISTEN, we know how hunger can impact our neighbors. It means that children cannot focus at school. It means that parents must make difficult choices like paying for unexpected car repairs or making sure that there is an option for their family’s next meal. And it means that others may also face further isolation, poor health, and even homelessness. For 50 years, LISTEN has been on the forefront of addressing these needs by providing nutritious community dinners in the Upper Valley. In the last year alone, we served over 34,000 meals; this is double the number that were served just a decade ago. For anyone experiencing hunger in our area, a dinner meal is available Monday-Friday every week. Each day, about 200 meals are prepared and available on a first come, first-served basis. Please join us as we take a stand against hunger. 

    LISTEN COMMUNITY SERVICES

    How We Help Our Upper Valley Community

    Regardless of your income, anyone in the Upper Valley who could use a free and nutritious meal is provided a three-course dinner every Monday- Friday.

    Our neighbors who are experiencing financial stress can count on food assistance to help them to meet their other household expenses and improve their overall security. All meals are free because of generous contributions from caring neighbors across the Upper Valley.

    The 200 dinners that are provided at each mealtime contribute to improved health for community members who need regular and nutritious options.

    Help make a difference in the Upper Valley

    Donate food to help with our community dinners. You can make a big difference.

    Donate Food

    Volunteers are needed. The gift of your time helps our community.

    Volunteer at LISTEN

    Monetary gifts are needed to help us provide for our Upper Valley community.

    Make a Donation

    With food lines growing at both our food pantry and community dinner hall, 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 five nights a week while he has looked to secure another job.

    Community Dinners Frequently Asked Questions

    • Where can I come for a free dinner?

      LISTEN’s community dining hall is located at 42 Maple Street in White River Junction, VT. It is adjacent to our thrift store in the Bourne Center and is just over the Lyman Bridge from West Lebanon, NH. There is plenty of parking for visitors.

    • Are you still serving dinners in Canaan, NH on Mondays?

      Unfortunately, we are no longer providing meals in Canaan. Please come to LISTEN’s community dinner hall at 42 Maple Street in White River Junction, VT.

    • What should I expect when I come to pick up a meal?

      Meals are available to all who show up in person at the designated times. We distribute the packages at the dining hall through the set of doors on the far end of the Bourne Center at 42 Maple Street. No one is asked to provide any identification, and there are no income requirements. If additional meals are requested for individuals who are not present, we may ask a non-identifying question or two about who is receiving the meals. The only requirement we have for you is to consider the health and protection of all guests, volunteers, and employees when you are on LISTEN’s property. We ask that all who partake follow these simple recommended prevention steps:

      • If you have experienced any coronavirus or other cold or flu-like symptoms, please refrain from coming to minimize the risk of spreading infection.
      • Please practice physical distancing.
      • Please always wear a mask.
      • No handshaking or hugging.
      • If possible, cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you must.

      We are grateful for all the support you provide to the work we do, and we hope you join us in taking these recommended precautions to care for yourself as well as for our community.

    • Are you using volunteer cook teams yet?

      We now welcome both individual volunteers and volunteer teams. Volunteer opportunities include preparing meals, serving meals, and cleaning the dining hall. Sign up and learn more at https://listen.volunteerhub.com/lp/Dining-Hall/#_=_

    • How can I support the Community Dinners program?

      The demand for community dinners has more than doubled since March 2020. And without volunteer help, LISTEN’s expense to support this program has also increased. We welcome any financial contribution that you can make to ensure we are able to provide free meals six days a week to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. You can donate online or send a check to LISTEN at 60 Hanover Street in Lebanon. Please note that you would like to designate your gift to this program.

    Questions about LISTEN's Community Dinners

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