The Co-op Food Stores

added 05/01/08

Hunger and homelessness don’t take summer vacations. Listen Community Services is our June Community Partner of the Month and helps the Upper Valley’s needy through programs that provide housing, food, warmth, and family support. (Check out the related story on June’s Listen Food Drive.)

Started as LISTEN (Lebanon in Service To Each Neighbor) in 1972, the organization changed its name to Listen Community Services in 2004. Although located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, it serves 23 Upper Valley towns, providing a broad spectrum of human-service programs to assist both individuals and families. Listen’s services include budget counseling, community dinners, a food pantry, and housing and heating help.

Listen also works to foster independence. Its counselors and volunteers teach pragmatic skills to help end the cycle of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Other services include youth-mentoring programs, summer camps, holiday gift baskets, and a thrift store.

How You Can Help:

• Make a financial contribution to Listen Community Services when you shop at the Co-op Food Stores or Service Center during June.
• Contribute a non-perishable food item to the Listen collection box in the lobby of the Lebanon store.
• Visit the Listen offices at 60 Hanover Street, Lebanon, New Hampshire, or check out their website to learn about volunteer opportunities as a mentor, at Community Dinners, at the Thrift Store, and more.