Palermo Food Pantry needs donations

Due to the recent fire at the Hannaford distribution center in Portland, food donations from Hannaford stores to the local food pantries have decreased. The timing could not have been more unfortunate, as very little local produce is coming in just yet.

Over the past six years, the Palermo Food Pantry has grown from 15 families to at least 50 families. Most of these people are disabled elders, although there are some young families with children and infants who regularly use the Pantry. Since food stamps have been cut drastically, food pantries across the country have sprung up to provide a safety net for people facing layoffs, injuries, and family breakups. Here in Maine, a recent report stated that 20% of us face food insecurity. Most of those people are children.

Meanwhile, people still need to eat. The Palermo Food Pantry has access to food from Good Shepherd, but must buy it from the distribution center in Orono. Please consider donating money or non-perishable food items to your local pantry. The Living Communities Foundation can also act as a funding conduit for the Palermo Food Pantry, to purchase gas and food. Please send your check to: LCF, P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354, and put “Food Pantry” in the “for” line in the lower left corner to assure that all 100 percent of your donation will go to feed people.