The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is very grateful for the many donations received this summer. A special thanks to those who provided fresh produce. These donors include Morris Farm, Two Bridges Regional Jail, the community garden, and local farmers.Thanks to the community for responding to the need.

If there are still people who have not closed up their homes for the summer, remember the Food Pantry would be glad to have any food items you may wish to donate. Please make sure they are unopened and not beyond their sell by date. Monetary donations are gratefully received on a one time basis, or in quarterly or monthly payments. They may be sent to P.O. Box 63, East Boothbay, ME 04544.

Donations of canned, boxed, or bottled goods may be left at the basement door of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. If the door is open, please leave your donations in the box provided. If locked, just leave them outside the door. Perishable goods are accepted, but please call Fleet Davies, 207-350-4077, to arrange delivery.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank, which is the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, plans to bring its Food Mobile to the Boothbay region on Friday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Dec. 19. It will be in the parking lot of the Congregational Church from noon to 2 p.m. All in need of food are invited to avail themselves of this service. You do not need to be a client of the Food Pantry to take advantage of the Food Mobile. Please bring your own bags.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and that means volunteers and directors from the Food Pantry will soon begin filling up boxes for distribution on Saturday, Nov. 22. Clients may sign up for a Thanksgiving box on Fridays when they come into the pantry. The last day to sign up will be Nov. 14. All clients will then be able to have a special Thanksgiving meal with friends and family.

Information for clients

The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is located in the lower level of the Congregational Church at 125 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor (enter through the parking lot on Eastern Avenue). The pantry is open every Friday (except the day after Thanksgiving) 12 to 2 p.m., with seating beginning at 11:30 a.m. If the Boothbay Region School District is closed due to inclement weather, the pantry will also be closed. Clients need to provide proof of residency and household income must be within the state of Maine’s TEFAP income guidelines. If you are picking up food for someone else, please bring a signed and dated note from the person authorizing you to do so.

After all regularly scheduled clients waiting to enter the pantry have selected food from the tables, all other clients are welcome to come to the hall to select any remaining perishable food items.

If you have a food emergency, call the Congregational Church at 207-633-4757 during normal office hours to set up an appointment to get food. The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If the office is closed, call food pantry director Fleet Davies at 207-350-4077 or director Tom Wilson at 207-633-4952.