During a visit to the Mission’s food pantry on the Downeast campus, you will notice a lot of pantry staples available: beans, grains, whole wheat pasta, and more. Many of these items are on the shelves because of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through the TEFAP program, the government purchases these crops from farmers and then this food is given to pantries nationwide. The most common crops the USDA subsidizes include corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, sorghum, and dairy.  

Feeding America,the largest supplier of products to pantries nationwide, estimates that over 900 million pounds of TEFAP food was distributed across the country in 2023. This makes up 30% of all food given out by Feeding America. Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s centralized food bank and distributes TEFAP in the state. Good Shepherd then distributes the food based on the number of households served by each pantry.

 Another similar program the USDA supports is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFD) for low-income seniors. These commodities boxes, contain mostly shelf-stable food meant to supplement what they already have. While food for this program and TEFAP are provided at no cost, both make up only a fraction of the food needed for individuals and families. Because of the limitations of food provided both by TEFAP and CFSD, fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely included. Other programs and donations are needed to fill in this gap.   

Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Mainers Feeding Mainers program—which pairs farms with local food pantries—provides nearly 90% of the food to our pantry including fresh, local produce and other items like bread and meat.  

But there is still a large need for many items rarely found in a pantry, and that is where community support comes in. 

The pantry has recently started a “Donation of the Month” initiative which highlights popular items. During April, we welcome donations of snack foods which are always favorite when they are available. The other way to support is through monetary donations directly to the pantry which allows the Mission to source more items.

Some of the damage experienced—which islanders are still contending with—includes loss and/or damage to personal property, damage to community and business infrastructure, soil and coastline erosion, and ocean debris washed ashore. 

“The Mission has worked with Maine islands for going on 120 years. Following the storms, we wanted to show our continued support and do whatever we could to help, like the Mission has always done.” shares Mission President John Zavodny, “These trips also provide an opportunity for volunteers to do something to help their island neighbors and learn more about these amazing communities.” 

From March 19 to 21, 10 volunteers will travel to Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry. From April 12 to 14, volunteers of Sigma Kappa Sorority’s Northeastern University chapter will travel to Matinicus. Following the spring trips, the Mission will consider whether the initiative should expand to additional locations in our service area. 

Mission President John Zavodny has announced the two recipients of the Sunbeam Award for 2024: Diana Davis Spencer Foundation and Island Institute. This year’s awardees were chosen for their commitment to the communities the Mission serves. The Gala is the Mission’s annual opportunity to celebrate those who embody the ideals of the community and whose work has made a lasting impact. The 2024 event will take place on Thursday, August 15 at the Bar Harbor Club. 

The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation will receive a Sunbeam Award for its committed philanthropic partnership with the Mission. As the Foundation’s Executive Chairman, Diana Davis Spencer, a journalist and activist, guides her organization’s grantmaking efforts. Her daughter, Abby Spencer Moffat, a former business leader and entrepreneur, leads the Foundation as Chief Executive Officer and President. Their commitment to preserving Maine’s natural beauty and environment is built on shared connections to the state and time on Mount Desert Island each year. The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation continues a multi-generational commitment to America’s founding values, including education, entrepreneurship, and national security.

As an award recipient, the Mission will honor Island Institute for its enduring role as a community partner. Together, both organizations have offered support to Maine’s unbridged island communities in education and community building. For 40 years, the Institute has remained committed to working alongside island and coastal communities in the areas of marine economy, sustainability, and community. This year, Island Institute has become a leader in ongoing storm response efforts and facilitating long-term resilience planning and information sharing.

Past Sunbeam Award recipients include:

• 2023 – Sharon Daley, RN & the Mission Healthcare Partners
• 2022 – Les Coleman & Downeast Education Partners
• 2021 – Acadia Senior College & Sigma Kappa
• 2019 – Bryan Colket and the Sunbeam “All Hands on Deck” Committee & Dr. Diehl Snyder, MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center
• 2018 – Marjorie Withers & Maine Community Foundation
• 2017 – Robin Alden & Earl Brechlin and Alan Baker, The Mount Desert Islander
• 2016 – Edward R. Flanagan & Cookie Horner and Jack Russell
• 2015 – Joseph M. Murphy & Todd West
• 2014 – Senator George J. Mitchell
• 2013 – Charlie Harrington
• 2012 – Ashley Bryan
• 2011 – Edith R. Dixon & Ralph W. Stanley
• 2010 – Emily A. Sabah-Maren & Gary DeLong
• 2009 – Curtis L. Blake & Marianne Barnicle
• 2008 – Charlotte Bordeaux & Dr. Richard Dimond
• 2007 – James Gower & Henry Harris
• 2006 – Cornelia Greaves Bates & Alf Wakeman
• 2005 – Ruth and Tristram Colket & Myron Sprague
• 2004 – Jill Goldthwait & Fritz Dixon

Beginning May 15, 2024, seating and table reservations for the Sunbeam Award Gala can be made through the Mission’s website or by mailing a check. The Gala will take place at Bar Harbor Club and includes a presentation, dinner, and cocktail hour.

Davis Maine Scholars receive consistent mentoring and support from Mission staff throughout their last year of high school and all four years of college as well as a full cost of attendance, four-year scholarship at one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA). These partner colleges were selected based on their commitment to supporting first-generation students including those from rural communities.

Davis Maine Scholars are chosen in the spring of their junior year. As high school seniors, selected Scholars participate in cohort workshops, college visits, and guided preparation and transition to college.

Students apply in their junior year and are enrolled at a Washington County high school or Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus. Qualifications include having a cumulative 3.0 GPA and would become the first member of their family to attend college, also known as first-generation college students. 

Applications are accepted until Sunday, April 14. Learn more about the Davis Maine Scholarship and see the application.  

The employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust recently donated $2,780 to the Mission through the bank’s “Casual for a Cause” charitable giving initiative. Employees who participate in “Casual for a Cause” dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a payroll deduction to collectively fund a charity. The bank matches 50% of the total donation made by its staff. Each quarter, the employees vote on which nonprofits will receive their contributions. In the fall of 2023, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees selected the Mission as a recipient.  

The Mission will apply the donation to its Journey program, which serves 7th to 12th graders in Washington County. Downeast youth participating in Journey explore the outdoors and their communities to develop the tools needed to successfully transition to high school and through higher education and career pathways. The program provides individual support, outdoor excursions, immersive experiences, access to professionals, college exploration opportunities, preparation workshops, and help applying for scholarships. Participating students benefit from the Mission’s close partnerships with local middle and high schools, colleges, and community organizations.  

Since the “Casual for a Cause” giving program began in 2018, the bank and its employees have donated more than $250,000 to more than 115 nonprofit organizations serving Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont residents. In addition, each year, the bank donates to more than 450 community organizations across Northern New England. The bank works to partner with nonprofits to enhance local projects and programs that provide crucial services for those in need. The bank’s partner organizations support affordable housing, economic development, financial literacy, arts and culture, youth and family, and health and human services. Since the Mission’s founding in 1905, Bank Harbor & Bank & Trust has been a committed support of the Mission.  

“Casual for a Cause is a great opportunity for our employees to be philanthropists together,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “By combining their individual contributions, our employees are able to make significant donations to nonprofit organizations that are, in turn, making a difference in our communities. This is truly a testament to our belief that good things happen when we work together.”