Despite fewer volunteers, longer hours, local food pantries soldier on

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Volunteers Captain Gombojav, left, and Lucas Gombojav, right, prepare food boxes before the opening at China Community Food Pantry. (photo by Ann Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

Pervasive in my discussions with local food pantries is a sense of profound gratefulness.

“We have been receiving monetary and food donations from many residents,” says Vassalboro Food Station director Cindy Ferland. “The community support has been tremendous.”

Volunteer Dale Peabody sets up food boxes on the front porch of China Community Food Pantry. (photo by Ann Austin)

Food pantries in China, Winslow, Albion and Palermo expressed similar sentiments.

“There are very generous and thoughtful people in our community,” writes June Foshay, manager of Palermo’s food pantry, in an email response to my inquiry.

“It’s gratifying to receive so much community support,” says Ann Austin, director of China Community Food Pantry.

When Maine declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic, local food pantries were on the front lines.

Winslow’s Community Cupboard was forced to move up their plans to launch because of the crisis. “Our intent was to open a local food pantry in September 2020,” assistant operations manager Anna Quattrucci recalls. “The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hastened our journey along! We were encouraged by Good Shepherd Food Bank to accelerate our opening…and we did! Talk about hustle. We went from having no ready space, no food, and no organized plan, to being fully set up, stocked and ‘open for business’ in a few short weeks.”

Area food banks have scrambled to adjust to the new conditions created by the pandemic and have worked to help new clients suddenly in need because of the economic shutdown. “We have had families who have previously used food pantries to help with food insecurity,” says Quattrucci, “but have seen many for whom this is a first-ever experience due to job loss or non-essential business closings.”

The greatest challenge for local pantries has been the operational changes forced on them by the new social distancing safety rules.

“We had to change our operating process [from] letting clients come in and select the food they wanted to pre-filling boxes to place in their cars as they drive by,” says Vassalboro’s Cindy Ferland.

Other pantries, like Albion’s Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, have opted for a “minimal contact” approach by severely limiting how many people can enter the pantry. Manager Russ Hamm says it’s added significantly to the time it takes to serve everyone.

“We’re going to have to take a longer time to supply people with their food needs,” he says. “Rather than doing it in two hours, it looks like it may take three or four.”

Volunteers Lucas Gombojav, left, and Donna Loveland, right, demonstrate how food boxes are delivered to clients while maintaining social distancing at China Food Pantry. (photo by Ann Austin)

Like Vassalboro, the China Community Food Pantry has also shifted to a drive-thru format. The new procedures keep volunteers and clients separated and maintains social distancing, but since food boxes must be prepared in advance, it means more work for volunteers.

And that’s been a challenge, as many of the dedicated volunteers food pantries used to count on are now in high risk categories.

Albion’s Russ Hamm says, “I normally have a team of six women, and four or five men to carry the bags and boxes [of food] under normal circumstances.” Now, though, he’s down to just four people – and that includes himself.

Vassalboro’s Cindy Ferland relates a similar experience: “The pantry has many elderly volunteers that are much more vulnerable and understandably have decided to stay away from the pantry,” she says. “Fortunately, we have a few VCS teachers that have some time and are willing to step in and help our operation weekly.” She adds, “Our challenge is finding volunteers to go to stores to shop for the pantry, given the restricted access and limited products available in stores.”

Volunteer Cathy Bourque fills food boxes at the China Community Food Pantry. (photo by Ann Austin)

China’s food pantry has been faced with a similar challenge. To comply with the new restrictions, they have focused on grouping volunteers in family units. “We have a husband and wife team that drives the van to pick up food,” says Ann Austin, pantry director, “and two boys from a local family do most of the heavy lifting.”

Once social distancing restrictions are lifted, pantries look forward to beefing up their volunteer base again. “When we eventually return to a ‘normal’ routine,” says Anna Quattrucci, of Winslow’s Com­munity Cupboard, “we will expand our volunteer team, as many have asked to be part of the work.”

Even with longer hours and fewer volunteers, most pantries do not report feeling overwhelmed – yet. However, this could change if the current crisis stretches from weeks into months.

“Overall the pantry is seeing a slight decrease in people coming in,” says Vassalboro Food Station manager Cindy Ferland. “The mix [of people] has changed, with new people that are self-employed and out of work coming in as they are not yet eligible for unemployment relief benefits. There has been a decrease in clients that receive SNAP benefits. The combination of dramatically increased SNAP benefits and the federal economic relief payments apparently has lessened their need for supplemental food.”

Russ Hamm, director of Albion’s Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, agrees. “As far as the amount of people — that has fluctuated remarkably, in the sense that we’re not seeing quite as many people as we normally would, and I have a suspicion that everybody got their stimulus check. I think that has made a little bit of difference.”

All of this is good news, and it’s the result of the amazing generosity shown by local communities in this time of crisis and the dedicated work of pantry volunteers. However, if current economic conditions continue in the downward direction of recent weeks, local food pantries could be facing a rough road ahead, and continued support of these important resources will be essential.

To see a list of local community food pantries, their hours of operation and contact information, please visit this page.

Eric W. Austin writes about local community issues and can be reached at ericaustin@townline.org.

Camp Bomazeen holds Klondike Derby

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Camp Bomazeen photo credit: Camp Bomazeen, BSA Maine

Submitted by Chuck Mahaleris

Camp Bomazeen, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, hosted the 2020 Scout Klondike Derby on February 1. Approximately 100 Scouts and leaders attended the frosty fun time on the shores of North Pond where Scouts competed in challenges that were both fun and designed to test their Scouting knowledge.

Camp Bomazeen Director Julie McKinney served as the chairman of the event. “What a Great day! Weather was just right. So many smiles,” she said. “It went nicely. We had Scouts from the Skowhegan, Augusta, Winthrop, Gardiner and Waterville areas take part including both boy and girl troops.

It was great to show off camp and how much fun it is in all of Maine’s seasons.” She said that Scouts were part of a patrol and each patrol pushed a dog sled from one of ten stations to the next competing in challenges such as lashing, first aid, fishing, etc. The sled carried all the gear they had brought that they would need to complete the challenges. “Water boiling was a challenge for some of the Scouts as some didn’t know how to get the fire going outdoor on the wet ground in a short amount of time.

“Tomahawk-throwing was a huge fun event that everyone loved and slingshot shooting was a hit as well,” she said. McKinney praised the Scouting volunteers who helped plan and run the event. One of the leaders of the event was Scott Adams, of China, who said that his Scouts in Troop #479 “had a good time. It was a great event.”

Healthcare workers applauded

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Waterville Fire and Police were joined by other local first responders in thanking local healthcare professionals at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer campus, in Waterville, on April 15. (photo by Waterville Police Deputy Chief William Bonney)

Community comes together for Easter egg and paper scavenger hunt in Vassalboro

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Eggs displayed outside St. Bridget’s Communtity Center. (photos courtesy of Victor Esposito)

Victor Esposito, along with a student’s parent, built two-foot tall Easter eggs, and brought them to JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) student’s home where they were painted. The eggs were then brought back to Esposito. From there they were distributed throughout Vassalboro. Meanwhile, Donald, Lisa and Jessica Breton organized a paper egg scavenger hunt. There was a good turnout for the event, according to organizers.

Victor Esposito is the JMG Master Specialist at Vassalboro Community School.

Photo courtesy of Victor Esposito

Photo courtesy of Victor Esposito

Photo courtesy of Victor Esposito

Social distancing shouldn’t lead to social isolation

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Courtesy of AARP Maine

Even in the best of times, social isolation is a significant problem. In Maine, 587,300 people over the age of 50 live alone and are at higher risk of social isolation, which is now magnified by the “social distancing” requirements across the country.

That’s worrisome. In fact, the World Health Organization was so concerned that the “social distancing” directive was contributing to isolation that it has modified the wording of its guidance: It now urges people to practice “physical distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus.

Make no mistake: The long-term effects of social isolation are very real. Over a prolonged period, the impact of social isolation is as harmful to an individual as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In fact, isolation is more dangerous to one’s health than obesity, and it’s linked to a greater likelihood of early death, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, stroke and depression in adults 50 and older.

We may have all scaled back our personal interactions to stay safe, but that doesn’t mean we have to be alone. Today’s technology offers myriad ways to keep in touch with family, friends, neighbors and loved ones.

Here are some steps to stay connected:

  • Measure your risk for isolation – or that of your loved one – at AARP Foundation’s Connect2Affect.org. This platform also provides lists of community assistance programs for medical care, food, and job training.
  • Plug into the growing number of mutual aid groups that organize volunteers to assist older neighbors by, for example, picking up prescriptions or going grocery shopping for them. AARP recently launched the “Community Connections” tool, also in Spanish, to help you find a group in your area. You can also request a “friendly call” from an AARP volunteer through the website or by calling 1-888-281-0145.
  • Go virtual. Many in-person activities are now being offered online. Your local fitness center, for example, might be offering virtual exercise classes. Or perhaps your book club now meets online. AARP’s website offers daily fitness videos, links to movies that stream online, and other ideas to stay active and engaged during this difficult time.
  • Volunteer to provide critical services. It’s a way to assist others while also helping you find purpose and avoid isolation. Mentors and tutors, for example, are always in high demand and both roles can easily be filled remotely. You might also want to volunteer to answer helpline calls related to the pandemic. Visit https://createthegood.aarp.org.
  • Identify vulnerable older adults in your family or neighborhood and make a plan to have someone reach out to them on a regular basis by phone, text, email or virtual chat. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce someone unacquainted with Zoom, Skype or Facetime to this new method of communication.
  • If you are working from home, consider virtual lunches or happy hours. It’s important to take time to catch up with your colleagues on a more informal level. (And you might even glean a few tips on successfully navigating the new world of telework.)
  • Go old school. Reach out to a family member or friend by sending a letter or postcard. Enclose a photo or two in the letter to spark a fond memory.

“Physical distancing, so critical right now, does not have to mean social disconnection. We can maintain and even increase our social connectedness during this difficult time,” says Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of AARP Foundation, which is exploring creative ways to help older adults connect and stay connected — to each other and to their communities.

If there is one thing that this pandemic has made clear, it’s that personal connections are immensely valuable and sorely missed. Let’s resolve to keep those links strong and vibrant during this crisis, especially for our most vulnerable family, friends and neighbors.

Please visit www.aarp.org/me for information on resources, volunteer opportunities and more. Send an email to me@aarp.org if you have questions, or if there is anything you need.

Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic rescheduled to Aug. 18

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photo: Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce

The annual Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic tournament, originally scheduled for June 15 at the Waterville Country Club, has been postponed to Tuesday, August 18, for this year, with an 11 a.m., shotgun start.

Given the current orders relating to COVID-19, the determination was made that it is too early to say when courses and other operations will be allowed to open, so an alternate date was chosen for August.

Team registrations are currently being accepted for this prize-laden tournament, with a chance to win $1,000,000. The entrance fee for Chamber members is $125 per team member, or $150 for non-chamber team members.

This year’s Chamber Golf Classic is sponsored by Central Maine Power and Maine State Credit Union.

For questions, please contact Cindy Stevens at (207) 649-5225, or email cindy@midmainechamber.com.

Waterville farmers market to reopen April 30

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The Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market will re-open at the Head of Falls on Thursday, April 30, at 2 p.m. ,and remain open until 6 p.m. each Thursday as a food distribution location.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the market is encouraging pre-orders from the local farmers. There will be an updated list of vendors posted on the Facebook page listing those attending the opening so they may be contacted directly.

A recent Facebook post outlined some specific cautions and operational rules which will be in place for the market:

Residents are reminded to follow safety rules when visiting the market.

Visitors to the market are asked to keep a distance of six feet from each other and to allow the vendors as much space as possible during transactions. The first half hour of the market will be reserved for senior citizens along with “high risk” customers. Everyone is asked to refrain from socializing, eating, or lingering in the market or vicinity.

It will be helpful to the vendors to bring an assortment of smaller bills if paying with cash, or providing a pen if paying with a check.

For more information: www.Watervillefarmersmarket.org or visit Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market on Facebook.

Great birthday!

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Lydia White, 7 of Benton. (photo by Tawni Lively)

First responders from Fairfield, Benton, Clinton and Winslow helped make Lydias birthday special. Photo by Tawni Lively

When you are daddy’s little girl, as Lydia White, 7 of Benton is, daddys know no limits to making things special. Lydia’s dad, Ken White, of Benton, needed to find a way to make his little girls “quarantine birthday” special. So he called on the local superheroes from Fairfield, Benton, Clinton and Winslow, to help him accomplish his goal. They did not disappoint. Each town sent at least two trucks to parade by little Lydia’s home. They blared sirens and lit up their lights as they convoyed past. Thank you to all of you superheroes out there, making things special, and keeping us safe.

 

 

 

 

JMG gives $300,000 to students for groceries

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As families continue to struggle with the economic impact of COVID-19, Jobs for Maine Graduates is partnering with its school partners to distribute $100 Hannaford Supermarkets gift cards to 3,000 students and their families throughout the state, according to a news release from the organization.

While Maine’s K-12 public schools continue to provide free bagged breakfasts and lunches to students by scheduling pick up times, and school bus deliveries, food insecurity continues to rise.

“The need is so great right now, and it just keeps increasing. JMG has taken the lead in this effort, and is putting resources directly into the hands of our students and families at a time when they need it the most,” said Eric Haley, superintendent of Waterville Public Schools, according to the release. “This is an example of student-centered, results-driven partnership at its best.”

JMG programs are hosted within Maine’s public schools and higher education systems. Program specialists deliver a competency-based model, providing instruction for essential life and career skills, through personalized learning strategies. The program has named its relationship-based approach a “continuum of support”. It is the only nonprofit in Maine serving students from middle school through high school graduation, and into post-secondary education and careers, according to the release.

There are 143 JMG programs in Maine, in all 16 counties.

“Students in all of the communities we serve have been telling their JMG specialists they are struggling with getting enough food and other critical household items,” said Craig Larrabee, JMG’s President and CEO, according to the release. “JMG serves as a bridge between public education and private business. I reached out to the private sector because I knew its leaders would want to do something to support Maine students. Unum was the first to say yes, and others quickly joined forces.”

“Unum has learned from past investments that JMG specialists have a deep understanding of their students. JMG’s relationship-based network is one of the fastest ways Unum can get relief to our neighbors in need,” said Cary Olson Cartwright, Unum’s assistant vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Bill Williamson, Maine President for Bank of America, said the request from JMG met important standards, “We look for organizations that are really going to have an impact and make a difference, and that is why we contribute to JMG. It has the leadership, the scope of services, and scale needed. JMG is unique because it offers a full spectrum of support, and students know JMG is there for them.”

Eve Pelletier is a student enrolled in JMG’s College Success program at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Formerly in foster care, Pelletier credits her JMG Specialist Susan Dubay with helping her with everything from applying for a tuition waiver to making sure she had her own laptop when Maine’s university system had to close its campuses and move to a distance learning platform.

“My JMG specialist is basically my go-to person for everything. I just started my first semester at UMFK this January, but my specialist started reaching out to me last August because she knew I was interested in going. She worked with me for months to make sure I was ready and to help me create my financial plan,” said Pelletier. “The coronavirus was a complete surprise, and it was shocking to have to leave campus. Now my JMG specialist is my life-line while I am trying to figure out how to finish classes online.”

“We have physical distance, but our connections to students have never been stronger,” said Susan Dubay, the JMG college success specialist at UMFK. “All of my colleagues, all JMG specialists, are proactively reaching out to our students, providing consistency and comfort, asking students what they need most amid all the disruptions to their lives.”

According to the release, JMG secured private donations from Maine employers; and, the Harold Alfond Foundation agreed to provide matching funds ─ bringing total contributions to $300,000 to help JMG students overcome food insecurity. Corporate donors includes Unum, Bank of America, Hannaford Supermarkets, Procter & Gamble, Bangor Savings Bank, AT&T, Skowhegan Savings Bank, IDEXX, Machias Savings Bank, BerryDunn, E.J.Prescott, Pratt & Whitney, Kennebec Savings Bank, Hospitality Maine, Pike Industries and the Retail Association of Maine.

“We consider JMG to be one of Maine’s anchor organizations making important contributions to the state and economy,” said Greg Powell, chairman of the Alfond foundation. “JMG’s rapid response is helping to meet the needs of students during these challenging times, while also ensuring these funds go directly back into local stores to contribute to Maine’s economy. We are pleased to make this worthy investment.”

All of JMG’s school-based partners will receive a minimum of 20 gift cards for $100 to local Hannaford Supermarkets and/or its affiliate stores. JMG specialists will collaborate with school administrators to distribute the gift cards to 3,000 students and their families this week.

The statewide, private nonprofit partners with public schools and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials and pursue meaningful careers. JMG provides more than 11,000 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to reach their potential. JMG graduates become engaged members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy.

Local restaurateur helps community during crisis

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Rita’s Catering staff ready to help feed community. From left to right, Shara Nabarowsky, Joshua Long, Carolyn Elkins, Areti (Rita) Lacroix-Menoudarakos and Zaharias Menoudarakos. (photo by Tawni Lively of Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

It was once said that “you don’t know what you are made of until you are broken.” When you are faced with trying times that take away your ability to live life as you have, what do you do? Well, the Kennebec community certainly knows what Areti “Rita” Lacroix-Menoudarakos, of Rita’s Catering, does in tough times…. she cooks! During this time of crisis when Covid-19 hit, she had a catering event that canceled after all the food had already been ordered. Cathy Bond, from the Winslow Credit Union, knows that Rita takes every opportunity to help the frontline staff at local police and fire stations. So when the event canceled, Cathy gave Rita the green light to do what she does, and help others in time of need. Rita and her staff started off on a smaller scale and made batches of food for the different departments to pick up.

As the State of Emergency continued, Rita adapted and thought of a way to help the broader community on a larger scale. Rita knows that this community has many people that depend on restaurants and takeout services to feed them on a daily basis. Many people do not cook and are now forced into isolation without supplies or knowledge of cooking or baking. This inspired Rita to develop a plan to create low cost meals for the community members during this time of need.

She used her gift of cooking to help others in their time of need.

This plan was extremely well received by so many. In fact, Rita went through all of the food that she had and then had to order two more times after that in order to continue helping the community she loves so much. The meals are being used for multiple different purposes from fueling our first responders to ensuring that our vulnerable elderly population is well fed. There are many seniors that pride themselves on being independent and these meals have helped them stay safe and nourished in this difficult time.

There are some wonderful federally-funded programs out there, but not everyone qualifies for those programs. Rita’s mission was to prevent people from falling through the cracks. She did not want the elderly to have to go out to the stores or go without food. The low cost has allowed others to purchase the meals for others as well, and enable more to continue giving and taking care of each other. Easter was difficult for many being away from family; however, Rita and her team worked hard to give affordable options for people to have a nice dinner over the holiday.

Apple crisps (photos by Tawni Lively)

Tracy O’Clair, of Waterville, says, “As a community we are blessed to have people like Rita.” I think many agree with these sentiments.

Meals ready for pick up at Rita’s Catering, on Bay Street, in Winslow. (photos by Tawni Lively)

During the time of crisis, Rita didn’t break but rather rose to the occasion. She used her gift of cooking to help others in their time of need. She didn’t think of herself, but thought only of how to help others. This pandemic will certainly go down in history, but for our community so will Rita and her generous acts of kindness.”

Meal pick up is at Rita’s House of Pizza, 51 Bay Street, in Winslow. She has also created a Facebook group called Rita’s covid-19 family meal.

If anyone is in need of help at this difficult time, please feel free to contact Rita at the Winslow House of Pizza at 872-0773.