RANGELEY — The ecumenical food pantry is a public benefit nonprofit organization providing food and heat assistance to those in need in the Rangeley area located in the lower level of the Church of the Good Shepherd at 2614 Main S.
The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Starting in February it will also be open from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays on a trial basis. Items typically in stock include canned vegetables, canned fruits, soups, peanut butter, canned tuna and salmon, fruit juice, and dry goods such as pasta, dried beans, cereal, flour and sugar. Community members also donate a range of other food and dry good items that vary in supply week by week.
The Ecumenical Food Pantry for Rangeley receives much of its food supply through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, a partnership between the USDA, Maine Department of Agriculture and the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine (not to be confused with the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley).
Eligibility for using the food pantry follows TEFAP income guidelines, which are available at the pantry. Individuals who have established eligibility for any of the following programs will have met the TEFAP income guidelines: LIHEAP, TANF, SSI, Elderly Low-Cost Drug Program, Elderly Tax and Rent Refund or SNAP (formerly food stamps).
The food pantry is operated by the four churches in town: Church of the Good Shepherd (864-3381), Rangeley Congregational Church (864-5966), Rangeley Free Baptist Church (864-5259) and St. Luke Catholic Church (864-3795).
The board hopes that this additional evening hour will enable more working people, especially those with families, to take advantage of the pantry’s offerings. More information can be obtained by calling any of the area churches listed above.