Food Pantries At the food pantries, thousands of pounds of food are sorted, loaded, and boxed for individuals, couples, and families who subsist in Washington County, Maine, and the outer islands. The Mission’s food pantries are often all that stands between the pangs of hunger and a healthy meal.

Bread of Life Food Pantry, Swan's island
Bread of Life Food Pantry impacts low income residents on Swan's Island and Matinicus Island by providing food that sustains lives and keeps children, families and the elderly healthy.

Rev. Ken Dutille, Swan’s Island Baptist Church minister, saw a need in his island community for a food pantry. He marshaled local resources and with the help of the Maine Sea Coast Mission, was able to open the Bread of Life Food Pantry in 2003. In 2008, the Bread of Life Food Pantry became a Maine Sea Coast Mission program. An elderly person told Rev. Dutille, “I had to make a decision. Will it be food or fuel this month? Because of the Bread of Life Food Pantry, I can have both.”

To find out more about the Bread of Life Food Pantry, please contact Rev. Ken Dutille at dutille@hotmail.com.

Downeast Food Pantry, Cherryfield
Downeast Food Pantry is located in Cherryfield at the Downeast Campus of the Maine Sea Coast Mission. A garden maintained on the property provides fresh produce for the pantry. Over 45,000 meals are provided each year to help families stretch their budgets and provide adequate nutrition.

Gena Norgaard, the Downeast Food Pantry manager, tries to serve more than just the fundamental need for food. Mindful of special dietary needs such as diabetes and low salt diets, Gena pays individual attention to the food distributed. She also gets to know her clients and the challenges they are facing. Whenever appropriate, she refers them to another Mission program such as the Thrift Shop, Emergency Financial Assistance, Christmas Program, and Scholarship Program.

To find out more about the Downeast Food Pantry, please contact Gena Norgaard at gena_norgaard@hotmail.com.