The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is graced with gifts of money, food items, and a variety of other types of gifts, all of which are very welcome. For example, a generous supply of Easter baskets filled with goodies for children was recently created and given to the food pantry by members of the East Boothbay Methodist Church, a long-time pantry supporter. Fifteen hand-knitted hats are ready for the first cold snap this fall, thanks to the skill and thoughtfulness of another long-term food pantry donor. And, what about the annual Souper Bowl of Caring?

The Souper Bowl is the largest annual fundraiser for the pantry. A collection of boxed and canned goods and checks takes place in many places of worship (and in one bank) in the Boothbay region on Super Bowl Sunday. The Souper Bowl of Caring, a fundraising event held in towns across the country, was spearheaded in our area a few years ago by community volunteer Sue Burge. Sue is widely known in the region for her innovative ideas and for her key role in developing Set for Success and other community service projects. During the past few years, leadership in organizing the Souper Bowl fundraiser has been taken on by Fleet Davies, co-director of the food pantry and long-time volunteer in the Boothbay region.

This year the Souper Bowl of Caring took place on Sunday, February 5. At the end of the day, the grand total of food and money received for our neighbors in need of food assistance was a stunning $5,400. The food pantry’s directors and volunteers are most appreciative of the many donations given by individuals and families and for the collecting efforts of the following eleven organizations, all of which helped make the 2017 Souper Bowl of Caring a smashing success: Anchor Church, Boothbay Baptist Church, Boothbay Harbor Methodist Church, Boothbay Region Community Fellowship, Christian Science Society, Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay Methodist Church, First Bank, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Southport Methodist Church and St. Columba’s Episcopal Church.

Financial donations and gifts of canned or boxed food within or not far beyond their sell-by dates are always welcome and appreciated. Checks payable to the BR Food Pantry may be mailed to P.O. Box 63, East Boothbay, ME 04544. Thank you!

Information for Clients

The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is located in the lower level of the Congregational Church at 125 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. It is open every Friday from noon to 2 p.m. and is accessible to people in wheelchairs. If local schools are closed because of weather conditions, the pantry also is closed. The food pantry is also open on the second Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

If you have a food emergency, call the food pantry’s telephone number: 207-350-2962. The pantry serves residents in the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb. New clients should provide proof of residency, such as your car registration, a recent utility bill, lease, or rent receipt. Clients should bring their own bags and boxes.