What a flurry of activity at the Food Pantry last Tuesday. More than 70 students from the Boothbay Region Elementary School arrived, just as the board was finishing up its monthly meeting, with hundreds of bags collected over the last 10 days during the school’s annual food drive.

While board members manned the tables unpacking bags, students sorted out the food into banana boxes, putting soup here and pasta there, amidst a scramble to see who could do it faster. Within a short time, the 1,300 items were ready for distribution to the shelves of the pantry. What a great effort by all!

The Food Pantry is grateful to principal Mark Tess and the 400 students, parents and teachers who made this drive possible. It’s just one of the many ways that the community helps support the pantry’s efforts to serve those in need.

Turkey Trotters at the Y on Thanksgiving Day donated an astonishing $2,400 to the Food Pantry. That is 50 percent more than the amount raised last year. Walkers, runners and even moms pushing buggies all participated.

Other regular donors include local businesses, summer community associations, service groups such as Rotary and Lions Club, churches, community lunches, several major grants, and countless individuals who give throughout the year.

Sometimes donors give us funds in memory of a loved one, or in honor of a friend or relative, especially at Christmas. Bequests may be made any time of year, and donations are gratefully received on a one-time basis, or in quarterly or monthly payments.

The pantry volunteers handed out Thanksgiving boxes to 146 families, at a cost of almost $4,000. And again, on December 21, the pantry will be supplying Christmas boxes to as many or more families. These are extra expenses for the food pantry, so donations are especially welcome at this time of year. Please send your check to the Boothbay Region Food Pantry, P. O. Box 63, East Boothbay, ME 04544.

For a New Year’s resolution, you might consider a pledge to the Food Pantry. Here’s an easy way: put a big jar in your bedroom, and collect all spare change, coins found in pants or coat pockets, in that jar. Next December, you’ll be surprised how much you’ve put aside for our neighbors in need. Kids and grandkids love getting into the act, and especially counting up the coins at the end of the year.

In kind gifts are always welcome; canned, boxed or bottled goods may be left at the basement door of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. If the door is open, leave your donations inside in the box provided. If locked, just leave them outside the door. All non-perishable donations are appreciated, but especially soup, coffee, canned fruits and vegetables, and staples such as sugar, flour and cooking oil. Perishable goods are accepted, but please call Fleet Davies, 207-350-4077, to arrange delivery.

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 each Friday from noon to 2 p.m. Clients will not be admitted to the pantry waiting area until 11:30 a.m. Clients wishing only to pick up fresh fruit, vegetables and bread supplied by Hannaford may do so, but only after all other clients have been served.

The Good Shepherd Food Mobile will be in the parking lot of the Congregational Church on Thursday, Dec. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. All in need of free food 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.

The regular food pantry will be open for clients on Friday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 27, as usual, from 12 to 2 p.m.

Clients who have signed up for Christmas baskets may pick them up between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Congregational Church.

If you have a food emergency, call the Congregational Church at 207-633-4757 during normal office hours, or, at other times, call Fleet Davies at 207-350-4077.

The Boothbay Region Food Pantry serves the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport. New clients should provide proof of residence, such as a recent utility bill, lease or rent receipt. Income guidelines apply.