D.F. Richard Energy gifts $15G to help feed needy during holidays

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, the Community Action Agency (CAA) of Strafford County, is excited to announce its partnership with D.F. Richard Energy for its upcoming Thanksgiving and Holiday Food Basket Program. Taking full sponsorship of the program, D.F. Richard Energy has pledged $15,000 to support CAPSC as it creates and distributes holiday food baskets to local families in need.

The Thanksgiving and Holiday Food Basket Program helps reduce food insecurity and financial stress, which often increase during the holiday season. According to Map the Meal Gap 2025, a report on local food insecurity and food costs in the United States in 2023, the national food budget shortfall--the estimated amount of money needed to feed food-insecure families in the U.S.--reached more than $32 billion.

Each year, CAPSC seeks food and financial donations to provide Thanksgiving and winter holiday food baskets to families in need across Strafford County. The baskets contain an abundance of fresh and nutritious foods that fill a holiday table and lift the spirits of those receiving them. Items in the baskets include a gift card to purchase a fresh whole turkey, stuffing mix, gravy mix, canned vegetables, fresh fruit or vegetables, and more.

Once assembled, local volunteers and CAPSC employees distribute the baskets to families throughout Strafford County, working to reduce barriers and stress during the holidays. In 2024, CAPSC distributed more than 600 baskets to local families.

Reflecting on the decision to support the program, D.F. Richard Energy highlighted its commitment to supporting the Strafford County community through partnerships like CAPSC.

"The name, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, contains one of our core principles: community action," Lisa Scudieri, administrator at D.F. Richard Energy, said. "Services like the ones at Community Action Partnership of Strafford County are instrumental to so many in our community. The numbers just keep growing, and meeting the needs is getting harder."

Scudieri added, "At D.F. Richard Energy, we believe it is up to local businesses like us to provide a bridge in those gaps wherever we can. The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County team are the ones doing the hard work."

Betsey Andrews Parker, Chief Executive Officer of CAPSC, commended D.F. Richard Energy's support and emphasized the importance of the donation.

"It fills my heart to see the way that Strafford County has continually backed our mission at Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. Each year, I am pleased to watch our Thanksgiving and Winter Food Baskets program provide hundreds of meals for local families who are struggling to make ends meet," Andrews Parker said. "For many, the holidays can be a difficult time, but this program ensures that no one should have to choose between paying bills or putting food on the table."

"Beyond that, thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, D.F. Richard Energy, we are hoping to expand our reach within Strafford County this holiday and winter season and move closer to our mission of reducing barriers to help clients improve their well-being and economic stability," Andrews Parker added.

CAPSC representatives note that there are currently no prerequisites for the program and encourage all families in need to sign up to receive a food basket this holiday season. More information is available at straffordcap.org/holiday-food-baskets.