Last year on June 12, 2024, the Mission officially opened the doors to our newly built food pantry. The pantry was thoughtfully designed to foster connection among community members and provided a dignified experience when shopping for food. We wanted the new pantry to feel like a small-town general store where everyone feels comfortable and can be themselves. There are a lot of windows to let in natural light, high ceilings, with hanging lights, barn–style doors for additional texture, a café area to grab a cup of coffee, and the most inviting porch to sit and relax. We often don’t think about how visiting a food pantry might impact any given individual, and unfortunately a welcoming, compassionate, and dignified experience is rare.
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The Mission had no doubt the new pantry would have the ability to purchase, store, and make more food available for our community. And within the first year, we have done just that. We provided a total of 363,458 pounds of food to our neighbors, which was double the amount distributed the previous year. 19,965 pounds of that food was fresh produce.
Providing more food for our neighbors is the easy part; cultivating a culture of inclusion, compassion, and dignity is the root of the work in the pantry. The Mission believes when people feel connected to those around them, it makes them feel cared for, and when we feel cared for, it gives us hope. The pantry is here to do just that: give people hope for a better future for themselves.
Generally, food pantries are in spaces such as alcoves, hallways, basements, or funky rooms in old buildings, all designed for other activities and turned into distribution sites to meet the emerging needs of their communities. People experiencing food insecurity may feel embarrassed to need a pantry for support. Entering a space meant to make them feel welcomed, valued, and cared for can have a positive impact on their wellbeing. I remember looking at the café area of the pantry, complete with newly assembled shiny tables and chairs, and a table set with coffee and tea products. When I closed my eyes this time last year, I could picture all the future conversations and connections community will have in this space, and a smile crossed my face. Since then, there have been endless moments of neighbors gathering to share each other’s joy, heartache, and memories, all while shopping for food that will sustain them.
Others may think a food pantry’s purpose is to just feed people, but it’s much more than that. Food pantries are places to foster connection, community, and belonging. Everyone deserves to feel valued when they need support, and that is exactly what you will find when you walk through the Mission’s pantry doors.
To learn more about the program and the food pantry located in Cherryfield, please visit the Food Security program.