About LISTEN Community Services

LISTEN's mission is to provide services and support to meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families.

    LISTEN envisions an Upper Valley community generously supporting individuals and families in their efforts to achieve and maintain successful independence.

    The History of LISTEN

    Over the past 50 years, LISTEN’s mission has been fueled by the unwavering dedication of the Upper Valley community to create a better future for our neighbors. In the winter of 1972, Lebanon In Service To Each Neighbor (LISTEN) was incorporated. The original purpose of the agency was to: “…involve the low-income citizens of Lebanon and surrounding areas in programs which will improve their ability to meet the economic, cultural, social and environmental needs of their families…”


    While our grassroots non-profit has grown to serve 25 towns in VT and NH, most of our programs can trace their roots back to the very beginning of LISTEN’s history.


    In March 1972, LISTEN established the LISTEN Food Co-op by scouting for low prices on bread, planting a community garden, and canning vegetables. Each week, the agency’s efforts lowered the grocery costs for over 75 families in the Upper Valley. Today, LISTEN’s Food Pantry is still stocked with nutritious food served by dedicated volunteers. Last year alone, the pantry assisted over 5,000 people struggling with food insecurity.

    In September 1972, volunteers stocked, organized, and staffed the very first LISTEN Thrift Store and “resource center.” This original thrift store was located at 129 Hanover Street in Lebanon. Today, LISTEN Thrift Stores continue to make essential programs possible for thousands of Upper Valley residents. Quality items are sold well below market prices and the revenues generated support a record number of neighbors who are receiving food, heating and housing assistance through LISTEN’s programs. In October of 2018, we opened our newest store on the Miracle Mile in Lebanon. The new store provides more space for our merchandise, as well as a warehouse to store donated furniture. In addition, we have a dedicated sorting room for staff and volunteers to manage the significant amount of gently-used goods that are donated from the community to generate support for their neighbors in need. 


    In 1986, LISTEN served dinner every weekday night to community members seeking a hot meal and fellowship. At this time, Community Dinners operated out of the recreation halls of several different Upper Valley churches. The program was formerly known as “Soup’s On,” but was later changed to “Community Dinners” when a client suggested that the name better illustrated the warm and friendly atmosphere of the program. All are still welcome at the LISTEN Community Dinner Hall. Monday through Friday, dinners are provided to Upper Valley community members looking for a nutritious meal. 


    And today, LISTEN continues to grow! We’ve added programs such as Summer Camp Scholarships, Heating Helpers, Housing Helpers, and Holiday Baskets, and have expanded our service area to better serve the needs of our community. To reflect this growth, the Board voted to change the name from Lebanon In Service To Each Neighbor (LISTEN) to LISTEN Community Services. 

    If you live in the Upper Valley and you could use assistance, we are here for you. Together we are building a stronger community through humanity and kindness.

    Leadership at LISTEN Community Services

    Kristi Lenart-Rikert

    Executive Director

    Tracy Yarlott-Davis

    Finance and Operations Director

    Belinda Peavey

    Human Resources Director

    Karen Stone

    Retail Director

    Heather Griffin

    Programs Director

    Meet our Board of Directors

    Ken Wells, Chair

    West Lebanon, NH

    April Harkness, Vice Chair

    Hartland, VT

    Lynne Goodwin

    Lebanon, NH

    Valerie Nevel

    Lebanon ,NH

    Dick Green, Secretary

    Hanover, NH

    Julie E. Findley, Treasurer

    Lebanon, NH

    Nick Clark

    Thetford ,VT

    Dawnlynn Marston 

    Croydon, NH

    Melissa Robinson

    Lebanon, NH

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Where is LISTEN?

      Our program and administrative offices, as well as our food pantry, are located at 60 Hanover Street in Lebanon. We also have three thrift stores, one in Lebanon, one in Canaan, and one in White River Junction. Our Community Dinner Hall is also located in White River Junction. Scroll to the bottom of this page and you will find a map outlining each location.

    • Who does LISTEN help?

      LISTEN provides services and support to meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families. Please check out our Service Area for a list of all towns we serve. More information on qualifications for each program can be found under How We Help.

    • Where does your funding come from?

      LISTEN is funded by generous charitable donations by people like you from across the region who want to help their neighbors in need. In addition, about 25% of the revenue from our three thrift stores goes to support LISTEN’s programs which are helping to keep families and individuals in the Upper Valley safe, fed, and housed. For more information about our programs, see How We Help.


    • Where do I go if I need help?

      Please give us a call at (603)448-4553 to set up an appointment with a service coordinator. If you only need food, you do not need to make any appointment. Please click here to learn more about the Food Pantry and Community Dinners.

    • I need food. Do you help with that?

      Yes! Please click here to learn more about the Food Pantry and Community Dinners.


    • Are you a shelter?

      No, but we have service coordinators that can help direct you to a safe place. Please give us a call at (603)448-4553 to set up an appointment with a service coordinator.

    • What do you do with the clothing that is donated?

      All donated clothing is sorted and then priced and distributed to our stores to be sold. Items that we cannot sell are recycled.

    • What do you sell at your thrift stores?

      We have a selection of items from mens, womens, and childrens clothing to shoes, jewelry, purses, housewares, furniture, toys, books, games, art, and more! For a complete list of items that we accept in our stores, click here.

    • Do you help people that can't afford clothing?

      Yes! After you meet with a LISTEN service coordinator, a free Thrift Store gift card may be issued to be used at any of our three stores. Please give us a call at (603)448-4553 to set up an appointment with a Service Coordinator.

    • Where can I take my donations?

      We accept donations at our Lebanon, Canaan, and WRJ  stores. For Donation Center hours and directions click here. 


      For a complete list of items that we accept for donations click here. For more FAQs about donating to our thrift stores, click here.


    • Do you Have a Donor Privacy Policy?

      Yes, LISTEN respects the privacy of our donors. LISTEN does not disclose or sell any information about our donors to outside parties except as required by law or regulation or with the prior approval of a donor. Internal access to donor information is also limited to those who have a direct need to know.

    • Where can I find your 990 and Financial Audit information?

      Please click here to download and review our FY21 990.


      Please click here to download our FY21 audited financials.

    If you have more questions about our programs, you can learn more under How We Help. If you have additional questions about how you can support LISTEN, you can learn more at Give to LISTEN.

    Join our newsletter and get involved

    Subscribe to LISTEN’s newsletter to stay informed about opportunities to make a difference in our community by donating, volunteering, and shopping at LISTEN. We will never sell or share your information.

    Housing Helpers

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    Heating Helpers

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    Food Pantry

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    Holiday Baskets

    Photo By: John Doe
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