The Merrimack Valley Food Bank provides emergency supplemental food assistance to the poor through a network of more than 90 programs. Since 1991, the organization has distributed more than 11.5 million pounds of food throughout the the Merrimack Valley and North Shore.

In Massachusetts, and especially the Merrimack Valley, the problem of hunger continues to grow. In the past year, requests for food assistance have risen between 25 and 50 percent due to the slowdown in the economy.

In January 2004, the bank took over three programs: a mobile food pantry for elderly and disabled; a summer lunch program for kids; and a farm used to teach teenagers management skills and farm produce. In addition, it runs a food rescue program and provides nutrition education.

The Food Bank uses two refridgerator trucks, one of which has logged 250,000 miles and must be replaced, to a cost of up to $40,000. MVFB has a grant for half of it but now needs matching funds. Please help them.