LISTEN Lebanon in Service to Each Neighbor

For over 50 years, LISTEN Community Services has been a community-based nonprofit dedicated to meeting the immediate basic needs of Upper Valley residents with compassion and respect. Through food assistance, heating and housing support, and related services, we work to ensure that neighbors have access to essential resources and pathways toward greater stability. More than 8,000 of our neighbors were supported in fiscal year 2025.LISTEN also operates three Thrift Stores in Canaan and Lebanon, NH, and White River Junction, VT. We are the region's largest resource for affordable, high-quality second-hand items. In addition, our stores play a crucial role in minimizing landfill waste by enabling community members to practice the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling through our donation centers.Community support makes LISTEN's work possible. Program funding comes from philanthropy; individuals, foundations, faith communities, civic organizations, and local towns, while the remainder is generated through revenue from LISTEN's three thrift stores. LISTEN does not receive state or federal funding, making this strong community commitment critical to sustaining and expanding our services.PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:The Service Coordination Program is the foundation of LISTEN's work, connecting community members with one-on-one support to navigate challenges and build stability. Service Coordinators help clients access benefits, secure housing, obtain financial assistance, and connect to essential services. Through this personalized approach, individuals and families can make meaningful progress toward greater independence and well-being. 3,110 households received service coordination support this year.For households living paycheck to paycheck, even a short-term financial setback can lead to empty fuel tanks, mounting utility bills, or the risk of shutoff during the coldest months of the year. Our Heating Helpers Program responds by providing small emergency grants-typically around $400-to help households maintain safe heat and avoid disconnection. More than 1,500 people were helped this year.LISTEN's housing support includes two efforts: Housing Helpers grants and a Transitional Housing unit. Housing Helpers provides small, targeted grants for rent, mortgage, or security deposits, along with connections to legal services, helping prevent eviction and keep neighbors stably housed. Complementing this, LISTEN operates a Transitional Housing apartment for Lebanon residents facing homelessness, offering temporary shelter while they secure permanent housing. More than 750 people were helped this year.We address food insecurity through two core services: the Community Dining Hall and the Food Pantry, providing neighbors with reliable access to nutritious meals as well as groceries and basic household staples. All community members are welcome. The Food Pantry, located at 60 Hanover Street in Lebanon, is open five days a week and provides visitors with a week's supply of groceries, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and personal care items. Almost 5,000 people were served this year.The Community Dining Hall, located at 42 Maple Street in White River Junction, serves free lunch and dinner to more than 150 people five days a week with the help of over 20 volunteer cook teams. Beyond providing a reliable source of nutritious meals, the Dining Hall fosters a strong sense of social connectedness, bringing together guests, staff, and volunteers in a welcoming space where people can build relationships and feel part of a caring community. More than 38,000 meals were served this year.Our Summer Camp Scholarship Program helps children participate in enriching summer experiences that might otherwise be financially out of reach. Scholarships remove cost barriers for families so children can spend time outdoors, develop social skills, and try new activities that build confidence and independence. 168 children received support this year.Phone Helpers provides working cell phones to individuals and families, removing a critical barrier to communication. Reliable phone access enables clients to stay connected to essential services like healthcare, employment, and case management, supporting greater stability and independence. It also strengthens social connections, reduces isolation, and improves overall well-being. 665 people were supported last year.Holiday Baskets are a meaningful way our community shows care during the holiday season, helping brighten this time of year for local families and seniors. Seniors receive a basket that includes a $50 grocery gift card and three pieces of warm clothing, while families with children under 18 receive three warm clothing items for each child along with a $50 grocery gift card for the household. 449 people received gifts last year.We also respond to urgent, individualized needs that can quickly destabilize a household if left unaddressed-providing targeted support for essentials like gas, laundry, auto repairs, and prescriptions so clients can maintain stability and continue moving forward.Volunteers are vital to our daily operations offering care, compassion, and connection when needed. Individuals, families, and groups support our work across the Food Pantry, Community Dining Hall, and Thrift Stores by stocking shelves, assisting visitors, preparing and serving meals, cleaning up, and sorting donated goods. Last year, 1,061 volunteers gave their time.