Organizers of Fill The Hall, Portsmouth’s summer food drive to support kids, are urging the public to participate in the event that takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9am-12pm at The Music Hall. Now in its 12th year, the event is part of Portsmouth Weekend of Love on June 20-21 2026 – a collaboration among NH Outright, The Music Hall, Gather and the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth.
Gather leaders say the growing need for food assistance underscores the importance of community support. Gather Executive Director Anne Hayes, “This is Gather’s largest food drive of the year. With inflation, energy costs, and federal cuts, the demand for our services in the Seacoast is greater than ever. When prices rise, people have to make tough decisions and often they end up cutting food costs. We’re hoping our community will respond and help our neighbors who are struggling. Every little bit makes a difference! Let’s really Fill The Hall this year – particularly as this food drive goes directly to feeding kids who might otherwise go hungry.”
Fill the Hall co-founder, Monte Bohanan, Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the City of Portsmouth, says, “A lot of people’s pocketbooks feel thinner this year. If people have the ability to give food, time or money, it’s vitally important that we all pitch in. And, one of the reasons I got involved in the first place is that Gather uses this food to create healthy summer meals for kids. No child should dread summer vacation, wondering where they’re going to get their next meal.”
Last year, more than 3,500 kids were served through Gather’s Meals for Kids program, which provides healthy ingredients for up to five breakfasts, five lunches, and snacks on a weekly basis at sites spanning eight Rockingham and Strafford County cities and towns.
In April 2026, Gather served 9,156 people across its programs – a 24% increase from the same month last year. At the same time, Gather distributed just under 100,000 pounds of food – a 49% increase.
Food and personal care items can be dropped off at The Music Hall located at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth. Monetary donations are also welcome and enable Gather to purchase fresh veggies, milk, fruit, and other perishable items. To make a monetary donation or review a wish list of items visit www.gathernh.org.
Weekend of Love 2026 schedule of events
June 20-21
- Fill the Hall – Saturday June 20, 2026 9-noon The Music Hall 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Pride Parade and Festival – Saturday June 20, 2026 Parade kick off 40 Pleasant Street 12:30pm; march to Strawbery Banke Museum for 1-5pm festivities
- NH Outright Drag Brunch – Sunday June 21, 2026 10am The Music Hall Lounge 131 Congress Street. For tickets: https://www.themusichall.org/
events/dragbrunch26/
About Gather
Gather, one of America’s oldest nonprofits (est. 1816), has transformed from a traditional food pantry into a hub of innovation — opening New England’s first Community Food Center in Portsmouth and creating numerous programs that address food insecurity and provide longer term solutions to hunger. Gather serves more than 9,000 households a month across 120 cities and towns in NH and Maine. For more information, visit www.gathernh.org/
