What's New
Wooden Nickels: Building Community Connections Through Fresh Food Access
The Manchester Farmers Market opens on May 3, and the Community Resource Center will once again be offering our Wooden Nickels Program. Current CRC clients are eligible to receive up to $40 per month to spend at the Farmers Market. Wooden Nickels may be used to purchase produce, herbs, eggs, honey, and produce-producing plants.
This year, the Manchester Farmers Market will be open on Thursdays from 3–6pm and Sundays from 10am-2pm. CRC will have a table at the Thursday markets only, starting May 7. Current clients can pick up their Wooden Nickels there between 3 and 6pm. Nickels may be spent at either the Thursday or Sunday market.
Not a current client? You’ll need to complete a CRC application and provide proof of residency in our service area and proof of income before receiving Wooden Nickels. Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process.
CRC volunteers will also deliver farmers market produce to eligible households within Manchester city limits who are unable to get to the market.
This program is made possible by a generous gift from Chelsea Hospital. Thank you!
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING March 18, 2026
Join Us for CRC’s Annual Meeting!
Our Annual Meeting is set for Wednesday, March 18th, immediately following our regular Board meeting which begins at 5:30 PM.
These meetings are always open to the public and you are welcomed to attend.
Both meetings will take place at the CRC offices, located within the Riverside Intermediate School. Please call us for directions or any questions you might have.
Free Tax Preparation Through VITA Program
The Manchester Community Resource Center is proud to once again partner with Accounting Aid Society and UWSEM to offer free tax preparation services through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.
VITA services are available to households that earned less than $69,000 in 2025. Some additional exclusions may apply, which we’ll review with you when you call to schedule your appointment.
CRC serves as an intake site for the VITA program, making it easy for Manchester area residents to access professional tax preparation without leaving town.
How the VITA Process Works:
Schedule Your Appointment – Call CRC at 734-428-7722 to set up your appointment time.
Bring Your Documents – Come to CRC with your tax documents, photo ID, Social Security card and voided blank check. Our staff will help you complete an intake form and securely upload your information to Accounting Aid Society.
Your Return is Prepared – expert IRS-trained volunteers at Accounting Aid Society will prepare both your federal and state tax returns at no charge.
Review and Sign – Once your return is completed and reviewed for quality, you’ll be contacted with the results. You’ll then return to CRC to review and sign your tax documents.
Electronic Filing – Your return will be filed with the IRS on your behalf.
Appointment Information
Appointments are available from February 17 through April 2. Space is limited, so we encourage you to call early to secure your spot.
Questions?
Call the Manchester Community Resource Center at 734-428-7722. We are happy to answer your questions and help you determine if VITA is right for you.
SNAP Benefit Update: We Are Here For You!
This week, MDHHS announced that SNAP benefits will not be distributed in November. We know this news is concerning for many families in our community.
The Manchester Community Resource Center is here to help. Our food pantry is well-stocked and ready to serve anyone who needs support during this time. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, our doors are open. That’s what we’re here for.
To our incredible community: Thank you. Your generous donations and ongoing support make it possible for us to be here when our neighbors need us most. Because of you, we can confidently say our shelves are stocked and we’re ready to serve.
If you’d like to help us continue meeting this need, please click the DONATE button to the right of this message
or email us at info@manchestercrc.org
or call us at 734-428-7722
Together, we take care of our community.
CRC’s Partnership with Food Gatherers: Nourishing Our Community
We are proud to share the incredible impact of our partnership with Food Gatherers during fiscal year 2025. This collaboration has been instrumental in helping us serve families and individuals in our community.
Through our partnership, CRC received 36,790 pounds of food valued at $62,595 – equivalent to over 36,000 meals for families in need. Nearly 30% of this food consisted of fresh and frozen produce, ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious options. We served an average of 68 households each month, demonstrating the consistent demand for food assistance in our area.
Food Gatherers provided us with a diverse mix of products at no cost, including donated items, USDA food through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and food purchased specifically for distribution. Additionally, we received 23 free deliveries valued at $2,736, making it easier to maintain our food pantry operations.
A highlight of our partnership is Food Gatherers’ Carrot Credit grant program, which provided CRC with $8,300 in purchasing grants. This funding allowed us to acquire an additional 7,582 pounds of food specifically tailored to our community’s needs. The Carrot Credit program gives us the flexibility to purchase items that complement the donated and USDA foods we receive, ensuring a well-rounded selection for our pantry clients.
CRC paid only $2,287 for food purchases from Food Gatherers – just 3.5% of the total $65,332 value of support we received. This makes our partnership an incredibly cost-effective way to serve our community.
This partnership enables CRC to focus our resources on other critical services while ensuring no one in our community goes hungry. We’re grateful for Food Gatherers’ commitment to fighting hunger where we live.
