Douglas Street, pictured left in his wheelchair, is among those who regularly has received food at the agency’s food bank. Standing by him is Bill Howell, a longtime volunteer who runs the food pantry for The Up Center.
Food Pantry
The Up Center distributes food from its Portsmouth office the second and fourth Friday of the month from 9:30am-2:30pm. The agency provides food to 300-400 people each month.
No identification is required but recipients must meet applicable household income requirements. Currently this requirement means that the household income cannot exceed one and half times the poverty level (150%). The poverty level is adjusted twice a year. The current poverty level guidelines are below:
Department of Health and Human Services 2009/2010 Poverty Guidelines
| Persons in Family or Household | 100 Percent of Poverty | 150 Percent of Poverty |
| 1 | $10,830 | $16,245 |
| 2 | 14,570 | $21,855 |
| 3 | 18,310 | $27,465 |
| 4 | 22,050 | $33,075 |
| 5 | 25,790 | $38,685 |
| 6 | 29,530 | $44,295 |
| 7 | 33,270 | $49,905 |
| 8 | 37,010 | $55,515 |
| >8 persons | Add $3,740 for each additional person |
Add $5,610 for each additional person |
