Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. That spirit was alive and well on Saturday, Sept. 13, when two separate events came together at the Boothbay Region YMCA to strengthen our community. 

The first was a morning food drive to benefit the Boothbay Region Food Pantry. Founded in 1985, the Pantry’s mission is to prevent hunger on the Boothbay peninsula. Run entirely by volunteers out of the Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church, it opens its doors every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Much of the Pantry’s food comes from individuals, churches, and local businesses, with fresh produce supplied by farms such as Veggies to Table, Twin Villages Farm and Hannaford. 

Fleet Davis, co-president of the Board of Directors, recently shared a surprising update: “For the first time in a long time, we’ve had to ask our community for financial support. Right now, the shelves are harder to fill, and the need is growing fast. Government and food bank supplies are down by 50%, while the number of neighbors turning to us for help has grown by 16% since January.” 

In response, the YMCA collected food from members throughout the week leading up to the “Fill the Bus” event. Fourteen Colby College alumni and parents who were participating in a national day of service joined Y volunteers to sort food and connect with one another. CEO Andy Hamblett then drove the Y’s bus filled with food over to the Pantry, where Y and Pantry volunteers unloaded and weighed the donations. The final tally: 290 pounds of food and $25 to support our neighbors in need. 

At midday, the tennis courts in the Marylouise Tandy Cowan Fieldhouse came alive with Rally Against Cancer, a benefit tennis event led by Y tennis pro Chantalle Arsenault. Twelve youth and adult playersenjoyed an active morning of family triples, cardio tennis, and social doubles while raising funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. 

Meanwhile, the Y is also serving as a collection site for Bangor Savings Bank’s annual Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive. With the goal of “spreading kindness and making a difference in our communities,” the Bank will match all donations and distribute them to food insecurity programs across Northern New England. A collection box will remain in the Y’s lobby until Sept. 24. 

The Y is proud to serve as a community hub and a convener of socially responsible initiatives. If you have ideas for how the Y can continue to be a catalyst for good in our region, please reach out to Allyson Goodwin at agoodwin@brymca.org.