Ministries - Food Pantry

Bucksport Community Concerns is an organization of volunteers, serving Bucksport, Orland, and Verona Island that is committed to providing emergency aid and guidance to services for people in time of need. Through careful stewardship of resources and help from their communities and other sources, they strive to promote wellness and improve the quality of life for local citizens. This organization offers services with a food pantry, Christmas dinners, Christmas for kids, Coats for Kids, baby layettes, and Senior Companion Lifeline. It is located in the refinshed basement of Elm Street Congregational Church. 678 families and 1, 732 individuals have been helped through this agency. The food pantry is open on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. People can use the shuttle bus.

This organization will give a supply of food for five days, three meals per day, per month, unless some families have no income. Then with careful evaluation and screening, they may allot more meals. They pay 35 cents per mile to help cover the cost of mileage to those people whom they need to drive for them. They may give extra food, coats, clothing, household goods, furniture, and other supplies when they have them in stock from donations or when organizations donate money for specific causes such as Coats for Kids. They are affiliated with the Talk N’ Shop and can give clothing, shoes, boots, and other items for certain emergencies after careful screening and evaluation of each situation. They may have a limited Emergency Fund for prescription medications after careful evaluation of the situation and on a one time basis per individual.

This organization will not give money for: Electricity, rent, car repair, or stipends. Volunteers are not paid. No money will be given, except for the conditions already stated, unless the board meets and/or at least three members are present or contacted. (Majority rules). People in special needs, other than food and clothing, must come on Wednesday to the pantry for help and guidance. They try to help as many people as they can with the supplies and the money that is donated, therefore, they cannot always help individuals with specific needs. All information is kept confidential.

Bucksport Community Concerns gave out 109 Christmas dinners in 2003. They also gave out new snowpants and boots to children at the local schools along with knit hats and mittens. Coats and jackets are donated by individuals for the “Coats for Kids” campaign and given out to children and adults when needed. The Salvation Army, school children, and individuals in the community also gave gifts for this program. Food is received from school and community organizations that help the program out during the busy winter months when light and fuel are at their highest costs.

Contact Information

Shirley Hutchins: 207-469-3305
Marsha Mushrall: 207-469-2400

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