The Aroostook County Action Program marked the one year anniversary of its “Community Cupboard” program Wednesday at both its Presque Isle and Houlton locations.
Last year, ACAP mounted a special wooden cupboard to an exterior wall near the front entrance of its 771 Main St., Presque Isle, location. Since then, that cupboard has served as another source of food for those in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I found the idea, actually, online when I saw a community was trying to tackle hunger using a different way, with a pantry-style type cupboard in which one could access as needed or donate as they felt they were able. The concept was simple — take what you need, give what you can,” explained Heidi Rackliffe, a licensed social worker and one of ACAP’s case managers.
With that concept in mind, Rackliffe brought the idea to her colleagues at ACAP, who came together to see the project to fruition.
Around the same time, ACAP’s Houlton Center launched its own version of the community cupboard, but staffers there opted to place their box in the lobby area of their 91 Military St. facility. Before long, the project began to inspire other communities to follow suit. Similar cupboards can now be found in the communities of Mars Hill, Washburn, Mapleton and Perham.
Houlton’s box features more than just food items, as there are spots for personal care products, school supplies and clothing items.
Houlton’s community cupboard, located in the lobby of ACAP at 91 Military St., offers more than just food items. Various pieces of clothing and personal care items also are available for free to those in need. (Joseph Cyr)
“There was a perceived need with our clients that they were needing personal care products in addition to food, so we added some of those items to our cupboard,” said Alison Gooding, community education specialist. “People have contributed clothing items, whatever they can afford. Ours is filled mostly by staff members, but we certainly welcome donations from the community.”
According to Rackliffe, one in four Aroostook County residents faces food insecurity, which means they lack access to a sufficient amounts of affordable, nutritious food. The vast geographic area and limited number of hours in which traditional, volunteer-run, food pantries operate make it difficult for those residents to get the items they need, she said.
Presque Isle’s 24-hour cupboard eliminates that hurdle. Also, the ability to access the cupboard privately, without having to provide names or financial information, appealed to many people who might otherwise avoid a traditional food pantry. The success of the project is evident by how often the cupboard is used, she said.
“The cupboard is used more than we could have ever imagined, verifying that the need is out there,” said Rackliffe. “It is stocked by the generosity of the community and used by our neighbors.”
“The efforts of our employees and generous community members over the past year to sustain the community cupboard, and the several organizations and communities that have taken on similar such efforts across The County, are truly indicative of the caring spirit of the people of Aroostook,” said ACAP Executive Director/CEO Jason Parent. “It is evident, by the use of our cupboard and the others that have since been added, that a critical need is being met as it relates to food insecurity in our region. As we mark the first anniversary of this great community partnership, it is my hope that the milestone will encourage more people to help stock the shelves of these important local resources.”
Rackliffe is hoping the momentum of the food cupboard movement continues throughout other Aroostook County communities and that the project continues to grow. Ideally, there would be no hungry people in Aroostook County, but until that goal is accomplished, the staffers at ACAP are on a mission.
“Although, we know our cupboard won’t end hunger, it has definitely started several conversations and we know hunger in Aroostook County definitely exists. If someone is finding they are using the cupboard daily, then it’s probably a good idea to come in and talk to staff about options they can look at for a more stable long term plan,” she said. “One of our agency’s case managers will sit and try and figure out a way to either span out their food resources or perhaps look at other avenues they might not have been accessing in the first place.”
For more information, visit the Presque Isle or Houlton ACAP branches.
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- Dawn Roberts, community education specialist for ACAP, stands next to donated food for those in need as she helps celebrate the first birthday of the organization’s Community Cupboard in Presque Isle on Aug. 30. (Joshua Archer)
