New cupboard open after hours
PRESQUE ISLE — Thanks to a partnership between Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) and The Aroostook Medical Center, residents in need have another source for food assistance: an emergency food pantry they can access any time of day or night.
Inquiring about access to enough food has become part of healthcare appointments. When families visit TAMC pediatric offices they are asked questions about whether their food supply will run out before there is enough money to buy more, if the food they can afford to buy will be enough, and if they know where to get food in the area.
Aroostook Pediatrics staff indicated they have been surprised with the number of families that are dealing with an insufficient food supply.
“We are happy to have implemented this project and be able to help patients in need,” stated Jennifer Robichaud, clinical supervisor at the pediatric practice.
“Patients are now referred to ACAP Case Management for assistance in accessing food and other services,” said Heidi Rackliffe, LSW, ACAP Case Manager. “And now community members have another food resource to access through ACAP’s Community Cupboard.”
Located at ACAP’s main office on 771 Main St., the Community Cupboard is a portable food pantry that is stocked by community members, and accessible to those who need it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The idea came from a search on the internet. “With sporadic operating hours of local food pantries it is not always feasible to refer someone to a food pantry if they need immediate help,” explained Rackliffe. “The Community Cupboard is a pilot project for now, with plans to expand to other towns in the future.”
The pantry style type cupboard was constructed by a spouse of an ACAP employee to serve as the dropoff area for all donations. Anyone can stop by to stock supplies of food; and anyone in need can access what is available.
The partnership between ACAP and TAMC is supported through funding from the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EMHS and the Partnership to Improve Community Health. Families in need of assistance are given tools that help them link to resources. These include a referral card with information about ACAP’s Case Management so that family members can sit down with a case manager and receive free, confidential help with accessing food, housing, employment, insurance and applying for benefits.
They also receive a food resource guide that lists all the places in Aroostook County that someone can obtain free food, and a Pathfinder guide that lists all services available in Aroostook County. Referrals are also made to ACAP’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
“We are hoping that people will feel like this is a safe place to access food in a time of need and also hope that people will help by donating when they can,” said Dawn Roberts, ACAP community education specialist.
For more information about the Community Cupboard in Presque Isle or to make a donation, contact Rackliffe or Roberts at (207) 764-3721.
