We will collect for the Manus Basket every Saturday for the November through April markets. We thank you for your support and assistance with this amazing opportunity to help local families in need.

The CRFP started as the Holiday Food Basket Project in 1974 serving less than 100 families in Concord only. Mark chaired the project, which was a collaborative effort of the Greater Concord Council of Churches, the St Vincent de Paul Society of St John's Church and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, from 1975 through May 1989 when he died. In 1983, Mark worked with key community leaders and created the Capital Region Food Program, a 501c3 not-for-profit entity which took responsibility for the Holiday Food Basket Project . His vision was an all volunteer organization that work in collaboration with other social service agencies, food pantries, churches, soup kitchens and community organizations to help alleviate hunger in the Greater Concord area.

After his death in 1989, the board appointed his daughter, Maria Manus Painchaud as chair. During her tenure, Mark's vision was carried on and the CRFP Year Round Distribution Project was formalized. This project has become integral to working with social service agencies, food pantries, churches, soup kitchens and community organizations throughout the year by purchasing cases of food and giving them free of charge to partner agencies who continue the work throughout the year to assist those in need.

2021 is the 48th annual Holiday food basket project and is the 30th year of the Year Round Distribution Project, still remaining true to Mark's vision of all volunteer organization addressing the issues of hunger through collaboration, cooperation and coordination with other community organizations.