CHERRYFIELD, ME — One of the Mission’s first acts to guard against the spread of COVID-19 was to get creative with our Food Pantry and Seniors Commodities program. Food security is a key focus of Maine Seacoast Mission. COVID-19 meant adding new measures of food security.
In this video, Mission President John Zavodny, speaking last week from our Food Pantry in Cherryfield, ME, describes in some detail the creative steps started there just a few days ago by Mission staff and volunteers.
You can learn more about the Mission’s food programs and services here. For viewers who would like to help use do this work with a donation you and do so here with our gratitude.
Volunteers ready food orders for drive-thru delivery.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Food security is a key focus of Maine Seacoast Mission . The Mission’s Food Pantry and Senior Commodities program are always buzzing with activity, ensuring the neighbors we serve have fresh, healthy food.
As a “distancing” precaution against COVID-19, Mission Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington and her co-workers, came up with an alternative “drive-thru” concept. Food Pantry and Senior Commodities participants called in their orders ahead of time. Volunteers prepared food orders. Participants arrived in their cars and, directed by Jillian’s new hand-painted sign, drove up to a volunteer who delivered the food orders to the cars.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Weald Bethel Food Pantry in Cherryfield is open on Tuesday, March 17, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Please call 546-7424 for an appointment. We are working to limit the number of people in the Food Pantry at one time.
Senior Commodities distribution is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. No appointment is necessary. Drive into the parking lot. We will take the food to your car. If you would like a pantry box also, please call 546-7424 and leave your name and the number of people in your family. We will make up a box for you.
CHERRYFIELD, ME. Mission Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington sends this photo and a thank you note.
“The holidays are a busy time at the Food Pantry. Thanks to many generous donations from individuals and local grocery stores we are able to provide food for a holiday dinner and more,” said Director Harrington.
Learn more about the Food Pantry and all the Mission’s food security work.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington writes, “Videographer Galen Koch made a short video of Nancy Neu and her VISTA work with the Mission. We finally received the okay to post it publicly and Nancy would like to see it posted on the Facebook page.
Nancy Neu’s VISTA video profile includes this paragraph:
Meet Nancy Neu, an AmeriCorps VISTA serving in Cherryfield, Maine with the Maine Seacoast Mission. The Maine Seacoast Mission has been working in Downeast Maine for over 116 years. In 2017, their food pantry and meal programs for children and seniors provided 187,936 meals in Washington County. With only 3 ? full time staff members, these Maine Seacoast Mission hunger prevention programs rely on volunteers and an AmeriCorps VISTA.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — In the latter part of October 2018, Mission Service Program Director Wendy Harrington sent word of new display units, courtesy Good Shepherd Food Bank, at our Downeast Campus Food Pantry.
Mission Community Resource Director Megan Burgess followed up Director Harrington’s message with photos and backgrounder.
“Thanks to Good Shepherd Food Bank for providing funding for the display units through their Capacity Building Grant program,” said Megan Burgess. Good Shepherd describes this grant program as “a competitive grant process that awards funds to partner agencies of the Food Bank that seek to make improvements to their program, allowing them to more effectively serve the individuals in their communities.”
“The display units have helped the Food Pantry better highlight baked goods and fresh produce, and they enhance the shopping experience of our food pantry patrons,” said Burgess
