The Boothbay Region Food Pantry continues to serve a record number of clients; 221 families with 529 family members took advantage of our services in January and February of 2014.

The polar vortex has not been kind to our neighbors, and two weeks ago we served 50 families in a single day. But so many local community organizations and individuals have pitched in to help that we have been blessed with plenty of food for those in need. A hearty thank you to all who have given so much to keep our neighbors from going hungry.

Once again, from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 28, the Good Shepherd Food Mobile will be in the parking lot of the Congregational Church. All residents of the Boothbay region needing free food to put healthy meals on the table are invited to avail themselves of this service, generously funded by the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, NA, Trustee. You do not have to be a food pantry client to take advantage of the food mobile. Please bring your own bags. On that day the regular food pantry will be open for clients, as usual, from 12-2 p.m.

The food pantry guidelines have been updated by the board, and are included below.

 Guidelines for clients

The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is located on the ground floor of the Congregational Church at 125 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor (enter through the parking lot on Eastern Avenue). The pantry serves families of Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Southport and Edgecomb.

The pantry is open every Friday (except the day after Thanksgiving) noon 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.

The pantry will issue a four-day supply of food, with the amount dependent on family size. Clients may visit every four weeks. When entering from the parking lot behind the church, pick up a number and take a seat in the chairs provided in the fellowship hall. When the number is called, register at the paperwork desk where you will be given two vouchers for bread, milk, eggs and butter or margarine. Vouchers are good for 10 days from the date you receive it and a second voucher is good for 10 days beginning two weeks later. The vouchers are valid only at the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford and must be used for Hannaford brands only.

You will also be given two bags for use at the food tables located in the hall, while you wait for your number to be called for the pantry itself. The tables are filled with fresh food, bread and other delicacies donated by Hannaford and local growers, as well as miscellaneous items not carried in the pantry.

When your number is called, proceed to the pantry where a pantry director will assist you with choosing what you need from the supply of canned goods, dry goods, cheese and meat. Tell the pantry director if you have any special dietary needs. Pantry food is for you and your family only and cannot be sold, exchanged or used for any other purpose.

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.