Meet the Lancaster Local Giving Back In Big Ways
School’s almost back in session — but during the summer months, children who rely on their schools for emotional and material support are often left without the assistance they need. That’s why Lancaster’s Groveton High School began running their Summer Lunch Program, where community members can come for free lunch or for someone to confide in.
Today, volunteers like Groveton’s Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Erik Becker, are the face of the program. Erik grew up in Lancaster and attended Groveton High School himself. With the program, he hands out at least sixty meals a day to kids in need. The meals are free, with no questions asked. Erik spends around fifteen hours a week distributing these meals and acting as a “big brother” for students who just need someone to talk to.
What motivates Erik? He believes that everybody could use a leg up — and he understands that too many kids in his area are already dealing with heavy issues, like substance misuse, in their homes. Fighting food instability is just one issue he’s tackled in the hopes of bettering his community.
Outside of his job at Groveton, Erik helps run the Black Crow Project. He co-founded the organization with a few friends to combat the negative effects of the substance misuse epidemic. The group provides support, training, and guidance to those suffering from addiction and organized one of the largest Narcan kit distribution and awareness events in New Hampshire. Narcan can be used to treat a narcotics overdose in an emergency situation, making it an important tool for people to know how to administer.
If you thought Erik couldn’t possibly have any more time to give back to the community, you were mistaken — he also acts as a recovery coach for people battling addiction and works as a case manager at Tyler Blaine House, a local homeless shelter, where he helps individuals looking to get back on their feet.
Erik’s passion for fighting the substance misuse crisis and lifting up marginalized communities is inspiring. His actions leave our state better and brighter. I’m proud to name Erik Becker as August’s Granite Stater of the Month.
Know an extraordinary Granite Stater you’d like to nominate? Visit my website here and tell me about them.
