Science Store Helping the NH Food Bank and Toys for Tots

CONCORD, NH – The Science Store at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center will be collecting nonperishable food items for the NH Food Bank through December. The campaign is an extension of Patrick’s Super Food Bank Project, an initiative begun several months ago by 12-year-old Patrick Regan of Merrimack, NH after learning about the critical food shortage the NH Food Bank is experiencing this year. In addition, the Science Store will be campaigning for Toys for Tots with a second collection box for new, unwrapped toys throughout the holiday season.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item such as can soups or vegetables, peanut butter or dried fruit for the Food Drive. Toys donated to the Toys for Tots drive can be for any age, from infants through 14-year-olds. As an added incentive for donations, the Discovery Center will offer visitors $1 off their general admission fee for donating just one item. If a visitor brings in two items, they will also receive a 10% discount in the Science Store.

The Science Store is open 7 days a week 10 AM – 5 PM, Fridays 10 AM – 9 PM. In addition, the first 15 customers to spend $50 after all discounts in the Science Store on November 27th will receive a free gift bag (worth $20). Free gift wrapping will be provided for any purchase made in the Science Store on November 27th and every following Saturday through December 19th. The new Science Store provides a unique array of items, including science kits, meteorites, astronaut ice cream, NH made crafts, books, posters, planispheres, shuttle and plane models, and space pens. Donation boxes will be provided through December 22nd, located by the front desk of the Discovery Center and in the entranceway of the Science Store.

The NH Food Bank’s mission is to feed hungry people by soliciting and effectively distributing grocery products, foods, and services through a statewide network of approved agencies; by advocating for systemic change; and by educating the public about the nature of, and solutions to, problems of hunger in New Hampshire. For more information on the NH Food Bank, visit www.nhfoodbank.org.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. More information for the NH drive can be found at http://www.toysfortotslondonderry.org/.

The new McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a lively science center, featuring 21st century interactive exhibits on aviation, astronomy, Earth and space sciences, a state-of-the-art planetarium and a variety of science, technology, engineering and math programs. The engaging, robust educational programs are geared towards families, teens, seniors, students, community groups, and lifelong learners. For more information, visit www.starhop.com.