Kingfield area meals program grows, but roots stay deep in the community

By Crystal Fitch

NEW PORTLAND — The Western Mountains Baptist Church has taken over “Bridging the Gap,” the volunteer effort that prepares, packages and delivers hot meals to elderly or home-bound residents.
The new organizers of the all-volunteer effort are Jeff Smith and Cathy Haines, both from Salem Township and members of Western Mountains Baptist Church of New Portland.

The program began in 2007 as a sociology class project by college student Tracy Bessey, of Kingfield. She and her husband, Tom, cooked and prepared meals for residents of Kingfield Elderly Housing, and Tracy and her daughter delivered 20 meals to the complex each month. The Bessey family bought and prepared most of the food themselves.
Sue Jones, leader of the Kingfield Girl Scouts, adopted the program in 2008, when it became Bridging the Gap. The Girl Scouts were instrumental in getting the community involved by requesting donations of food and paper products from businesses and individuals.
Bridging the Gap’s next home was with the Rev. Connie Maginnis and Kingfield United Methodist Church. Bruce Taylor, of Kingfield, recalls how Maginnis asked him to help out with a meal eight years ago and he has been helping ever since. A picnic in the park and a summer barbecue at the elderly housing complex were added to encourage fellowship.
Last summer, when Maginnis was on vacation, Kingfield United member Yvonne Woodcock sent out a Facebook plea for help with the upcoming meal. Because “neighbor helping neighbor” efforts are not new to Western Mountains Baptist, volunteers stepped up. For the next several months, members of both churches worked together to provide meals in Kingfield.
After Maginnis’s death in September, the Rev. Tom DuBois agreed the program would be a good fit with Western Mountains’ other outreach services. It will maintain the relationship with members of Kingfield United.
Smith and Taylor are head chefs, while Haines collaborates with businesses and takes meal selections from recipients. Folks have a choice of two meals that include dessert prepared by Debbie, Priscilla and Dori Hinkley from Kingfield. Deliveries are made by Jim Secotte and his helper Elijah Coffren, 10, of Kingfield, Doris Foley of Salem Township and Barbara Nickerson of Kingfield.
The meals are delivered in time for folks to enjoy a hot nutritious meal at lunch. Currently 45 meals are prepared and delivered.
Bridging the Gap’s success is not only because of volunteers who coordinate, cook and deliver meals, but also donations of food and money from individuals and businesses. Before it closed, Nostalgia Tavern provided one of the two meal selections each month. Tranten’s Family Market has long provided food containers and other needs. In addition to water, Poland Spring provides whatever is asked, from baked goods to mayonnaise, and hosts the summer barbecue. The town of Kingfield, Longfellow’s Restaurant, The Orange Cat, Annie’s Market, CMS and The Woodsman have all played a role. Over the years, many community members have been involved.
Because of funding from the Western Mountains Baptist Church, the program has expanded to include New Portland and Salem Township.
There are no income guidelines and no church affiliation required to receive a free meal on the last Saturday of the month. If you or someone you know is elderly or homebound and would like to receive a meal, call Cathy at 207-678-2442 or the Western Mountains Baptist Church at 207-265-2557.

PHOTO: Volunteers with the expanded, community-wide effort to feed elderly and homebound in the Kingfield area are, front from left, Jeff Smith, Debi Hinkley, Dori Hinkley, Elijah Coffren; back row, Bruce Taylor, Priscilla Hinkley, Cathy Haines, Doris Foley and Jim Secotte. Missing from the photo is Barbara Nickerson. Western Mountains Baptist Church in New Portland recently took over the 11-year-old program, but members of Kingfield United Methodist Church, as well as many local businesses and individuals, are involved, helping to provide a hot nutritious meal to area elder and home-bound once a month. (Crystal Fitch photo)