The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is located on the ground floor of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor and serves families who live in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomg, or Southport. The pantry is open every Friday (except after Thanksgiving) from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M., with seating beginning at 11:30 A.M.. If the Boothbay schools are closed due to inclement weather, the pantry will also be closed. Clients need to provide proof of residency, and household income must be within the State of Maine's TEFAP income guidelines. The pantry will issue a four-day supply of food to clients with the amount provided dependent on family size. Clients may visit every four weeks. When entering from the parking lot behind the church, pick cup a number and take a seat outside the pantry in the Fellowship Hall. When your number is called, register at the paperwork desk where you will be given two vouchers to be used at our local Hannaford for bread, milk, eggs, and butter or margarine. You will also be given two bags for use at the tables of food located in the hall. Once registered, proceed when your number is called to the pantry itself, where a pantry director will assist you to choose what you need. You will be given a choice of food that is available. Tell the pantry workers if you have any special dietary needs. Pantry food is for you and your family and cannot be sold, exchanged or used for any other purpose. You will be issued two vouchers each time you come to the pantry. One voucher is good for 10 days from the day you receive it. The other is good for 10 days beginning two weeks later. The vouchers are valid only at our local Hannaford and must be used for Hannaford brands only. The tables of food located in the hall contain food donated by Hannaford and local growers as well as miscellaneous items not carried in the pantry itself. After registering and while waiting your turn in the pantry, - (or after your visit to the pantry itself) - you may select what you wish from those tables. You should use the two bags given to you at registration to package your selections. Any other bags that you bring may be used inside the pantry but not at the tables.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (207) 350-4077 to book your appointment.
Address :
125 Townsend Ave,
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Boothbay Harbor
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lincoln
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (207) 350-4077 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.