D.F. Richard Energy to Sponsor Community Action Partnership of Strafford County Thanksgiving & Winter Food Baskets 

Press Release, October 8, 2025 –

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC), 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 Community Action Partnership of Strafford County as it creates and distributes the baskets of food this holiday season.  

The Thanksgiving and Holiday Food Basket Program can work to reduce food insecurity and financial stressors, which can increase throughout 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, or the estimated amount of money needed to feed food-insecure families in the United States, had 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 within Strafford County. Baskets contain an abundance of fresh and healthy foods that will fill a holiday table and lift the hearts of those in need.  Example of items included in the holiday food baskets are a gift card to buy a fresh whole turkey, stuffing mix, gravy mix, cans of vegetables, fresh fruit or vegetables and more.  

Once the baskets are assembled, local volunteers and CAPSC employees work together, distributing the food baskets to Strafford County families, striving to reduce barriers for families as the holidays approach. In 2024, more than 600 baskets were distributed to local families. 

Reflecting on the choice to support the Thanksgiving and Holiday Food Basket Program, D.F. Richard Energy highlighted its efforts to support the community of Strafford County, by supporting community partners such as 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 that at D.F. Richard Energy, “we believe it is up to the 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,” Scudieri concluded.  

Chief Executive Officer of CAPSC Betsey Andrews Parker commended the work that D.F. Richard Energy has done to support the Strafford County community and emphasized the meaning of the donation to support the upcoming Thanksgiving and winter food baskets.  

“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 can ensure 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 strive closer towards our mission to reduce barriers to help clients improve their wellbeing and economic stability,” Andrews Parker added. 

“On behalf of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, we are incredibly grateful to D.F. Richard for their generous donation of $15,000 to our Holiday and Winter Food Basket programs, “Andrews Parker said, “This support allows us to provide families with not only a nutritious holiday meal, but also a sense of comfort during the holiday season. Partnerships like the one with our sponsor, D.F. Richard Energy, have a lasting impact within our community.”  

CAPSC representatives note that there are currently no prerequisites for this program and encourage all families in need to sign up to receive a food basket this holiday season. 

More information can be found at straffordcap.org/holiday-food-baskets. 

About Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization established under the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 and was founded locally in Strafford County in 1965. The mission of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is to reduce barriers to help clients improve their economic stability and well-being through education, advocacy, and partnerships. While holding the vision to eliminate poverty, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) also works to hold values of communication, collaboration, client-focus and accountability through all its local efforts. CAPSC remains the sole provider of a fleet of programs and services that are designed to promote the welfare of all people experiencing low incomes. CAPSC employs nearly 150 people across its offices in Dover, Farmington, Rochester, and Somersworth. More information can be found at straffordcap.org. As of 2025, CAPSC currently has nearly 16,000 unique enrolled individuals in at least one of our programs.