Westside Food Pantry
For 31 Years
Sharing is Our Story
Serving the towns of Southwest Harbor, Tremont, and Mt. Desert,
Maine
2021: Staying the Course...
It's about "addressing food security"--it always has been and remains so today. The Westside Food Pantry began 31 years ago as a local response to a seasonal economic reality: many of our neighbors worked fewer hours during the winter months, and with less income, often they were required to make the hard choice--"to eat or to heat." Helping our neighbors with food securituy is the Pantry's way of reducing the need to make such a choice, and it is our ongoing work.
...and Navigating Change!
Anyone who lives here, or visits regularly the west side of MDI, knows the truth of "change." Look around and see the obvious change! Main Street Businesses come and go. Neighbors and neighborhoods change and age! See west side school enrollments decline. Look more closely and discover that we have withstood recessions, seen our island's climate change, withnessed employers seeking different skills from workers, and today we continue to be threatened and challenged by a worldwide pandemic. For the Westside Food Pantry, both change and "food security" enevitably go hand-in-hand. How to address"food security" while conditions are changing is always our challenge. 2021 was a year of staying the course and navigating the change. With the support of our faithful donors, we intend to continue our caring work in 2022 and beyond.
Important Announcement
Covid-19 Precautions
For the safety of all concerned and until further notice, Pantry distributions will be held at St. John Episcopal Church, 315 Main St., Southwest Harbor. A walk-up window will be utilized and is located on the south side of the church building. At the window present your identification card and your pre-packaged vouchers will be sent through the window. To register for Pantry benefits proceed to the window on the east side of the church door. Please keep the appropriate 6 feet between persons waiting in line and wear face covering.
Safe Distribution Protocol: Here's How It Works
At the "first window" a neighbor presents ID card and Beth retrieves the pre-packaged vouchers.
At the "second window" Susan and Dean register new neighbors and write vouchers, as well as retrieve account numbers for those who forgot their ID cards.
And, "outside" Barbara welcomes neighbors, makes announcements, answers questions, and reminds us all of distancing and other safety precautions.
More Americans are going hungry amid economic crisis — and many can’t get help
Apr 30, 2020 6:45 PM EDT
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