In a nation of affluence and abundance, there are still hungry people and they are living right in our midst, not in some far away country. The Bridgton Food Pantry in Bridgton is doing its best to feed those in need in our area.
The combined efforts of the Bridgton Food Pantry and St. Joseph's Church and their dedicated volunteers provide additional food and other essentials to area low-income residents.
Anyone interested in helping this worthwhile project may contact our new director, Debbie Davenport, at 207-787-3904 or email her at deborahd@pivot.net.
Please support this important program.

The Bridgton Food Pantry is a non-profit community accessible distributor of food to the residents of Bridgton and Naples, Maine. Our mission is to provide supplemental food and staples to families whose financial and/or physical circumstances are causing a need for aid. Debbie Davenport, our new director, oversees the program at the Bridgton United Methodist Church located at 98 Main Street. Over 100 families are signed up, with an average of 30 - 40 showing up for the weekly assistance.

The Bridgton Food Pantry provides food and other staples for people in need. Certain requirements must be met including:
Residency - Bridgton or Naples
You must be on some form of government assistance such as Food Stamps, Medicaid, TANF, SSI, or your monthly income is less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR Special circumstances require that you seek temporary assistance. If you are not sure if you meet the requirements, please call Debbie Davenport at 207-787-3904.

Once a month (the last Tuesday of each month), residents of Bridgton and Naples are allowed to bring home food staples and hygienic items from the The Bridgton Food Pantry or St. Joseph's Church. (Alternating churches according to alphabetical order)
Monthly alternating coverage with St. Joseph's Church Food Pantry:
Last name beginning with the letters A - L come to the Bridgton Food Pantry located in the Bridgton United Methodist Church on the odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November)
Last name beginning with the letters M - Z come to the Bridgton Food Pantry on the even months (February, April, June, August, October, December)

NOTE: In case of snow or stormy weather, the food pantry will be open the following day (the last Wednesday of the month). If that day is bad also, the pantry will be open the following Tuesday to distribute food and staples.

Once a week clients may stop in at the Methodist Church for breads, fruits, vegetables and pastries donated by "Shop & Save" of Windham and other agencies. Emergency needs may be met by calling and arranging an appointment.

Hours: The Methodist Church, located at 98 Main Street, Bridgton, is open Tuesday from noon until 2 p.m. (or until the perishables, which are available every Tuesday, are gone). Food boxes may be picked up the last Tuesday of every month from noon until 2 p.m. Boxes of government food are handed out the second Tuesday of each month.
St. Joseph's Church is located on South High Street, Bridgton and is open the last Tuesday of each month from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Items Typically Available in monthly food boxes:
canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned beans, canned spaghetti, canned milk, spaghetti sauce, pasta, rice, soup, peanut butter, jelly/jam, condiments, pickles, tuna fish, coffee, tea, cocoa, kool-aid, sugar, flour, salt, jello, baking items, snack items, crackers, lunch meats, hot dogs, margarine, trash bags, toilet paper, napkins, soap, toothpaste, diapers, feminine hygiene products
We have items available for clients with dietary restrictions such as salt and/or sugar. Please ask if you need these items.

Weekly Perishables:
variety of fruits, vegetables, bread, rolls, bagels, meats, and sweets (cakes, cookies, muffins, pies)

Donations are gratefully accepted:
* Monetary to help defray the cost of transportation of goods.
* Food and Staples to distribute to those in need.
* Your Time - volunteers are always needed to help with handling goods. Volunteers are needed to pick up food and other staples at "The Good Shepherd Food Bank" and products from "Shop & Save". Anyone with fundraising experience willing to offer guidance would be appreciated.
* Returnable bottles and cans may be delivered to the Redemption Center on Rt. 302 to be credited to the Bridgton Food Pantry.

Anyone interested in helping this worthwhile project may contact our director, Debbie Davenport, at 207-787-3904 or email her at deborahd@pivot.net.
Please support this important program.

After hours contact staff members for additional information at: 787-3904. On Tuesdays call 647-4476.

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Call or write:
207-647-3734
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Karen Hawkins
963 South High Street
Bridgton, ME 04009

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