Multiple Ossipee-area nonprofits described rising demand for food, childcare and social services during the town’s budget review session and requested municipal support.

Meals and senior services: Misty Ryder, executive director of the local OCC meals program, asked for $35,000 to support weekday Meals on Wheels and congregate meals. Ryder said the program operates Monday through Friday, relies on about 100 volunteers to deliver meals to homebound residents, and serves roughly 650 clients across Carroll County. The program also provides two frozen meals to participants who want weekend coverage.

Childcare: The OCC day‑care program reported being licensed for 42 children and serving about 32; the presenters said funds help offset parent fees and food costs. The packet indicates $17,000 to augment parent supports for the daycare.

Food pantries: Vicky McVittie, director of the Freedom Flute Pantry, asked the committee to consider $8,000. McVittie said weekend demand has increased, grocery in‑kind donations have fallen and her volunteer roster briefly dipped to about 28 volunteers. She said the pantry uses USDA eligibility charts to determine household qualification and that reduced SNAP benefits have increased client numbers.

Child weekend food: Eileen Levitt and Allison Simpson described the 68 Hours of Hunger program, which provides weekend food bags to schoolchildren. The program said it has roughly 45 volunteers, historically served about 126 students (down from peak pandemic numbers), and expanded summer distribution to about 700 bags. Presenters said the historical cost per bag of $16 should be reviewed given rising food costs.

Life Ministries: Bill Connors, president of Life Ministries Food Pantry, told the committee the pantry had a week with 280 clients (the highest since tracking began in 2022), 28 new clients that week and that demand has grown steadily since 2022. Connors said the organization requested $8,000 in municipal support (packet reflects prior town actions had increased annual support in prior years) and provided packet figures showing year‑to‑date totals.

Starting Point and other social services: A representative of Starting Point (domestic violence services) asked for $10,485 to support the crisis line and direct services; the group reported serving 76 Ossipee residents and providing more than 2,400 services in town. Starting Point said it operates a 13‑bed county shelter and described increased service needs and higher lethality in recent months. Sienna Kaplan Thompson of White Mountain Community Health Center summarized primary care, dental and behavioral health services, emphasized sliding‑fee and care‑coordinator work, and said recent federal and state funding reductions have increased uncovered costs; the center requested additional town support to cover uncompensated care coordinator work.

Historical society: Kelly Sia of the Ossipee Historical Society requested $4,000 to continue repairs, noted summer museum attendance of roughly 70 visitors, and said volunteers and memberships help operations.

None of the outside agencies received appropriation votes during this session; the committee will consider agency requests as it finalizes the town budget at subsequent meetings.