2021 Annual Report
Dear Community Members,
As the new chair of the BHFP Board of Directors, I would like to introduce myself. I am
a teacher and artist who came to Maine over 40 years ago. I’ve lived and raised my family in Bar Harbor, and am so thankful to call this place home. It is the strong sense of community here that gives me this gratitude and, after the privilege of almost 30 years of teaching art to children on this island, I am pleased to have this opportunity to give back.
I was drawn to join the Bar Harbor Food Pantry Board by the important work it does, and by the words of its mission statement: “Nourishing and supporting our community in Hancock County, Maine through dignified access to healthy food.” I am continually impressed with the inclusiveness of the Food Pantry and its services, as well as the respect it shows its patrons.
I am thrilled with the recent hire of our new Executive Director, Tom Reeve, who is showing his strong leadership skills already as he strengthens our operations and programs, and connects us with new community partners. I thank you for your donations to this vital community organization, in both time and funds. There are so many ways to help the Bar Harbor Food Pantry and I deeply appreciate your support and involvement.
Sincerely,
Carol Shutt
Bar Harbor Food Pantry Board Chair
Reopening the Pantry
After a year of offering deliveries and pickups only due to the pandemic, the Pantry reopened its doors to in-person shopping the beginning of October 2021. Since then, we have expanded our open hours to more than we have ever offered. At 19 hours per week, with morning, afternoon, and evening hours, we are better able to meet our customers’ needs.
Volunteers make the world Go round
As many of you are aware, 2021 was a year of transition for the Bar Harbor Food Pantry. Though many changes happened over the course of the year, one thing remained constant, our amazing volunteers.
Volunteers kept Serendipity open, organized and delivered food and promoted our programs. Without them, the Pantry would not be able to do all that it does for our community.
If you would like to join our group of dedicated, fun volunteers, click here to sign up.
Over 2500 hours of volunteers labor donated in 2021
New Fund Created to Support Pet Food Pantry
Last year, two members of our community, Kim Swan and Kay Theede, each donated $2,500 to start The Diana Fund of the Bar Harbor Food Pantry. It was named in honor of MDI Pet Food Pantry founder and longtime community animal supporter Diana de los Santos.
The money in this restricted fund will be used to purchase pet food to ensure that no one must choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet.
You can donate to the fund at any time by indicating you want the funds to go to the Diana Fund, or you can always donate pet food directly to the Pantry.
Over 350 households served
Over 700 individuals served
New Executive Director’s note
I know this is a 2021 report and I wasn’t the Executive Director then, but I thought I should write something. Transitions between organizational leadership are never easy. Add to that a local economy crazily rebounding from a pandemic, a housing crisis, and a lack of workers and you have a recipe for disaster.
The Bar Harbor Food Pantry has weathered this change due to the leadership of the board, the hard work of the staff and volunteers, and the support of our community. On a day-to-day basis, I am floored by the generosity of our community. Every time I am buying a shopping cart of pet food, people ask what it’s for. When I say the Food Pantry, so many people reach into their wallets and hand me money. It’s amazing.
As I write this, we are staring down another difficult year. Use of the Pantry is skyrocketing, along with the cost of food, fuel, and just about everything else. I’m not worried, though. I know that together, we will make it through whatever we face.
Thank you for everything you do.
Tom Reeve, Executive Director
Bar Harbor Food Pantry
