TO ORGANIZE AND OPERATE A COMMUNITY CENTER TO MEET THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE IN A VARIETY OF UNDERTAKINGS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
1. FOOD PANTRY
2. THRIFT SHOP
3. MEETING PLACE FOR LOCAL/AREA ORGANIZATIONS
4. PROVIDING AN AREA FOR W.I.C. SERVICES (WOMEN, INFANTS & CHILDREN)
5. OFFERING FACILITIES FOR PRIVATE PARTIES
6. WORKING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE FOOD PANTRY IS SUPPORTED BY LOCAL CHURCHES, GOVERNMENT COMMODITIES, THE SCOUTING FOR FOOD PROGRAM, THE FOOD BANK IN MANCHESTER, AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. FOOD IS SUPPLIED ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS.
THE THRIFT SHOP IS MAINTAINED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE WOMAN’S CLUB AND FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE SHOP IS OPEN ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS, 12:00 PM TO 6:00 PM AND ON SATURDAYS, 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM. CLOTHING AND A WIDE VARIETY OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE DONATED AND SOLD AT NOMINAL PRICES.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS USE THE FACILITIES FOR MEETINGS.
THE W.I.C. PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION TO HELP KEEP PREGNANT WOMEN, NEW MOTHERS, INFANTS AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN HEALTHY AND STRONG. THEY MEET ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH.
THE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES FOR A $20.00 FEE.
THE BUILDING IS A FORMER RECTORY FOR ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. IT WAS PURCHASED BY MEREDITH VILLAGE SAVINGS BANK WITH PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACE. LATER, THEY OFFERED TO DONATE THE PROPERTY TO A GROUP THAT WAS INTERESTED IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY. INSPIRED BY A DESIGN FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, A GROUP OF LOCAL CITIZENS ACCEPTED THE OFFER. THE ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER WAS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN 1993.
THE CENTER IS FUNDED BY MONIES FROM THE THRIFT SHOP, FUND RAISERS AND FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.