The Mission food pantry in 2020 making specialty foods available in tandem with Good Shepherd Food Bank, Mano en Mano, Vazquez Mexican Takeout Restaurant, and Downeast Community Partners.
CHERRYFIELD, ME – Imagine not having steady access to food in order to live a healthy, active life. That’s what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls “food insecurity.” According to the nation’s “largest hunger relief organization,” Feeding America, 12.4% of Maine’s population is food insecure. In Washington County, home to the Mission’s food pantry, the reported 5,200 food insecure people constitute 16.5% of the county population.
In Spring 2020, Covid regulations forced an almost complete reinvention of how the Mission food pantry functioned. Patrons placed their orders by phone, driving to the pantry where Mission staff and volunteers loaded the pre-boxed orders into car trunks and truck beds. Staff and volunteers home delivered pantry orders to patrons living too far away, or who didn’t feel safe leaving their homes.
At that time the Mission began new or expanded partnerships. with area nonprofits such as Mano en Mano. Working with a $10,000 grant from Good Shepherd Food Bank, the food center helped distribute culturally-specific food for local families and migrant workers. Together, Mano en Mano, Vazquez Mexican Takeout Restaurant, and Downeast Community Partners used the Mission food pantry to distribute 165 boxes of food to 347 people.
As the food pantry grew in new directions, adjusting for ever-changing Covid-19 regulations, the Mission started making plans to grow food security services. Today, Food Security and Sustainability Programs Coordinator Megan Smith and Family and Community Resource Coordinator Stephanie Moores, are overseeing the creation of the Mission Food Center.
For example, after an interior/exterior building makeover this year, the pantry is running more like a grocery store.
“People just love that they get to come in, walk around, pick the items they want,” explains Megan. “The feedback has been tremendous. Pantry staff get to talk to have conversations with these people. It gives patrons more dignity and a place to feel comfortable.”
In addition, Megan says, “We don’t have limits on how many times people can come in, or on what they can take. Patrons can pick their own meat, produce, and shelf staples.”
That policy, says Megan, works toward the Mission’s goal for the food center as “a place for people to get food, and a place where people feel welcome.” With a welcoming “grocery store” atmosphere, Megan went on, “we can talk with shoppers.”
That’s important particularly when food insecurity is not the only issue a patron is trying to resolve. “It might not just be food insecurities patrons are wrestling with. It might be heating oil or some other issue,” reminds Megan. “And if these things come up we can help them. They don’t have to go someplace else to find another resource. It’s all at this one place,” she says.
With Washington County’s huge meal gap in mind, Megan says, “There’s always opportunity to let more people know about the resource. We’d love to grow, to be a mobile food pantry for communities without them. I hope we can show other pantries in the area how to become low-barrier pantries,” she says.
The food pantry is blessed with its long-term food supply partnerships with Good Shepherd Food Bank, Walmart (Ellsworth), Shaw’s (Ellsworth), Bayside Shop ‘n Save (Milbridge), and Folklore Farm (Cherryfield).
Megan agrees, but says that goodwill extends to the community. “People calling us and asking, ‘What do you need at the pantry that you don’t have? Especially for items people don’t think about. Like coffee and tea. They’re a huge part of people’s lives. We can’t always buy those and they’re not always donated,” she says.
In sum, says Megan, “The whole community is a huge partner.” And that bodes very well for the food pantry’s prospects for year 2022. To learn more or become involved, visit our Food Security Program.
Wendy Harrington Honored on the Mission Christmas Tree
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Honoring someone is recognizing their value to the world and to us. This holiday season the Mission is offering supporters a heartfelt way to honor people in their lives.
From now until Christmas, for a small donation the names of people honored will be handwritten on Mission holiday ornaments, and displayed on the Colket Center Christmas tree in Northeast Harbor.
These photos show the Mission ornament honoring Director of Service Programs and Scholarship Coordinator Wendy Harrington.
Wendy joined the Mission in 2002. She and her husband, Charlie, helped create the EdGE Program. Wendy was also instrumental in the Mission food security programs, housing rehabilitation, and community events at the Mission Community Center.
In the Mission’s May 2021 eNewsletter, Wendy said, “My work was, and is, centered on families and community and the belief that children thrive when they have the support of the people around them.”
It is an honor to both know and work with Wendy Harrington.
Who in your life would you like to honor? Click here.
Roasted celery root chips (left) and jicama fries (right)
CHERRYFIELD, ME — This is a photo of “welcome veggies” from the Mission food pantry. The sender, who asks to remain unidentified, said, “You can be assured these are tasty and healthy. It’s fun to try new veggies.”
What vegetables are we looking at in this photo? How were they prepared for eating?
The chef said the veggie on the “left is roasted celery root chips and on the right are jicama fries.” Jicama is a root vegetable originally from Mexico. As with celery root, jicama is similar to turnip, and often used as a potato substitute.
The veggies pictured were “oven roasted at 425 degrees for 35 minutes or more.” The chef continued, “I prep the veggies by peeling and slicing. Toss into a dry rub mixture of cornstarch, corn meal, dry seasonings – or whatever spices you like. Tajin chili spice is my ‘go to.’
“Place prepped veggies on an olive oiled sheet pan, rotate and stir halfway thru cooking. You are looking for golden edges. The jicama tends to stay firm, yet great for dipping. A welcome change from potato,” said the chef.
Great to know. And thank you for sharing.
Learn more about the Mission food pantry and other food related services and programs.
One of many new signs helping patrons find available foods.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — In July 2021 we changed the Mission Family Food Center into a place where our patrons could choose their foods. Our choice pantry offers patrons dignity and cuts down on food wasted. The pantry now has the feel and look of a grocery store complete with signs to showcase available foods.
The feedback is all positive. People tell us, “This is wonderful.” “Thank you for doing this, it is amazing.” “I feel better about coming to the food pantry.” “I don’t have to feel bad about throwing food away because now I can get only what I am going to use.” “Thank you for having an organic section.”
Mission Food Security and Sustainability Programs Coordinator Megan Smith said, “I look forward to coming to work each day knowing this change has made a huge difference in how our patrons view coming to the food pantry. Also, it gives me an opportunity to engage with patrons and get to know them better.”
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to the K-8 students and staff at the Peninsula School in Prospect Harbor, and to the K-8 students at the Mountain View School in Sullivan. Both groups were successful in helping our friends and neighbors who use the Mission’s Family Food Center in Cherryfield.
Peninsula School’s K-8 students and staff collected 302 boxes of cereal to donate to area food pantries. On the school’s Facebook page you can see an impressive video of the 302 cereal boxes set up like dominoes from one end of the school to the other. And 1st Grade teacher Katie Parker delivered 100 boxes to the Mission’s Food Pantry.
K-8 students at Mountain View School collected 5,792 packages of Ramen Noodles through their food drive, distributing the food to area pantries. Instructional Coach Megan Worcester delivered over 600 Ramen Noodle packages to the Mission. You can see what 5,792 packages look like on the school’s Facebook page.
Mission Food Programs Coordinator Stephanie Moores said, “We are so excited to see the enthusiasm of the staff and students helping area food pantries! We are so grateful for the generous and significant donations from both Peninsula and Mountain View. Their donations will help us feed many people.”
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Mission Family Food Center is looking for responsible, outgoing volunteers for our Food Pantry this summer. Duties includes stocking shelves, unloading truck deliveries in a fast paced, fun environment. Learn more:
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