LaBelle Winery Hosts Fundraiser for Meals Matter: A Community Lunchbox to Help Address Food Insecurity at Nashua High School South

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 15, 2019

CONTACT:

Michelle Thornton
Director of Marketing
LaBelle Winery
345 Route 101
Amherst, NH 03031
(603) 672-9898
michelle@labellewinery.com
LaBelleWineryNH.com

Amherst, New Hampshire — When Amy LaBelle, co-owner and winemaker at LaBelle Winery, read an article in the Nashua Telegraph last fall about students at Nashua High School South who are unable to afford to lunch, she was compelled to help. According to the Telegraph, as many as 100 low income students go without lunch each day because their parents earn too much money for them to qualify for free or reduced lunches.

LaBelle invited students, along with their advisors, to LaBelle Winery so she should could learn about Meals Matter: A Community Lunchbox, a nonprofit initiative created and led by students in partnership with United Way of Greater Nashua, designed to create awareness about and find solutions to the problem of food insecurity at Nashua High School South. 

LaBelle offered to host a fundraiser for Meals Matter at the winery, which was held on Saturday, January 5, 2019. 

“When I read about students not being able to afford lunch and going hungry while at school, I was desperate to help,” LaBelle says. “By hosting the fundraiser at LaBelle, I was able to support Meals Matter in an impactful way. We’ve helped make a difference for many students.”

The fundraiser, which included a cocktail reception, dinner and silent auction, raised just under $8,000 for Meals Matter, enough to provide more than 2,600 student lunches.

“Feeling nourished is a critical component to learning. It’s important that students know they can depend on having a solid, healthy lunch at school. I applaud Meals Matter for bringing food insecurity to the forefront and coming up with a plan to change the topic dialogue from being a stigma to a problem that we all can help to solve,” LaBelle says.

Those who would like to learn more about Meals Matter: A Community Lunchbox should contact United Way of Greater Nashua at (603) 882-4011. To make a donation to the program, checks can be made out to United Way of Greater Nashua with “Meals Matter” written in the memo section. Donations call also be made online at https://app.mobilecause/com/form/yBydpw?vid=3kki or by texting mealsmatter to 41444.

LaBelle Winery’s flagship location and vineyard are located at 345 Route 101 in Amherst, New Hampshire. 

The Bistro at LaBelle Winery, also in Amherst, serves lunch and dinner as well as brunch on Sundays. The restaurant is family-friendly and offers a special menu for children. 

Guided tours of the Amherst facility are offered from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Call (603) 672-9898 or visit LaBelleWineryNH.com for more information.

LaBelle Winery Portsmouth is located at 104 Congress St. Wine tastings are available daily during business hours. The store’s phone number is (603) 319-8035.

Check LaBelle Winery’s website for hours, which vary by location: LaBelleWineryNH.com.

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