Family trust donates $4G to help feed city's needy

From left, Brett Johnson, trustee of the trust fund; Nancy Mellitt, director of development, NH Food Bank; and Ray Varney, trustee of the trust fund. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Members of the Trustees of the Trust Fund toured the New Hampshire Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that distributes food to more than 400 partner agencies who, in turn, distribute to food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, children's programs, senior centers, and more.
Trustees of Trust Funds are appointed custodians of perpetual care funds, charitable trusts, and capital reserve and expendable trust funds. Trustees make decisions regarding expenditure from these funds based on the wishes of the donor, at least in the case of privately donated funds.

According to Trustee Brett Johnson, the William W. Evans Charitable Trust donated $4,000 to the NH Food Bank in 2022. The Trust was established in 1933 and funded in 1937. In 2016, the City of Rochester accepted the donation of the remaining funds to be administered by the Trustees of the Trust Fund.

"As Trustees of the Trust Funds, it's our responsibility to ensure that the income generated by the William W. Evans Charitable Trust is used to support charitable organizations that help families in Rochester," said Johnson. "For all the work they do, the New Hampshire Food Bank was an easy choice for us."

Johnson said the donation funded around 3,750 pounds of food, which provided more than 3,130 meals for food-insecure individuals in Rochester. The food was distributed through 12 partner agencies.

"The trustees are thankful for the money donated by the William Evans Trust," Johnson said. "We're happy to be custodians of these funds and ensure the wishes of the family."