BELGRADE — Summer is here and the Belgrade/Rome Food Pantry is busy supplying food and household items to its many clients. There are many ways residents and summer vistors can help, from the pantry’s major fundraising dinner to donating unused food items when leaving town.
Located at the North Belgrade Community Center, 508 Smithfield Road (Route 8), the pantry is open every Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. Any resident of Belgrade or Rome who feels the need is encouraged to visit.
The pantry’s major fundraiser this year, “Dinner by the Lake,” is an all-inclusive dinner hosted by two volunteers and on the shore of Long Pond. It will be held on Saturday, July 27, beginning at 6 p.m. with drinks and appetizers. The donation is $50 a person. For reservations, call 207-495-2022.
Summer visitors are also asked to remember the pantry when leaving Maine at the end of their stay. When emptying cupboards, the contents may to into collection boxes at the Belgrade Lakes and Belgrade post offices, and the Belgrade and Rome town offices. There is also a bottle redemption box available for all residents at the Belgrade transfer station returnable bottle deposits.
Food insecurity is a major concern in Maine – 16 percent of the households; 24% of children and 23% of seniors fall within these numbers. The Belgrade/Rome Food Pantry has been operating for 25 years to serve these neighbors by distributing food and household items.
Last year the pantry helped approximately 40 families/110 clients each month, who were provided with food and household items to last a week, along with the annual holiday baskets. The Food Pantry accepted donations of more than 6,300 food items and other necessities, buying approximately 30,000 items and distributing more than 33,000 items to almost 90 registered families. The figures do not include the many miscellaneous items acquired through government donations, Good Shepherd deliveries and fresh produce.
The pantry wants to thank all of its volunteers, the towns of Belgrade and Rome and all the individuals, businesses, churches and organizations that help make these services possible. “We are always trying to reach out to those in need – please share this information with others,” pantry officials said.
Monetary contributions may be made directly to the pantry at Belgrade/Rome Food Pantry, P.O. Box 236, Belgrade ME 04917 or by sending a contribution to Good Shepherd Food Bank, Auburn ME and designating the donation be given to the Belgrade/Rome Food Pantry.
