HOULTON, Maine — For nearly 30 years, it has served as a pillar of support for those in need living in the Houlton area, but Mildred’s Food Pantry, housed in the basement of St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Houlton, has never seen a situation like COVID-19 before.
“I have not been around much as I am over 60 and apparently volunteers at this time need to be younger,” said Lynette Dobbs.
The popular Cross Resource Café, also located in the church basement, is currently closed. The café provided a place for patrons picking up groceries, or anyone else who wants to stop in, to enjoy a cup of coffee, engage in a little conversation, and learn about services available in southern Aroostook County.
“A couple weeks ago, I finally decided to discontinue it,” said Dobbs, who manages the café. “The primary goal of the café was to build relationships. Since we transitioned to the phone, it became much more difficult. I was able to refer a few people to resources they were looking for but it became evident that it was time to reassess what we were doing.”
Despite the inherent challenges of operating a food pantry that so many rely on, the remaining volunteers at Mildred’s are currently finding a way.
“There are some who are coming in every week or two because they need it,” said Kaylene Shupe, coordinator of the pantry, who added that many new people have been added to the list of those receiving food over the past few months. “Needs are being met thanks to the generosity of people in the community.”
And help is always welcome at the pantry in many forms. Volunteer opportunities are available, including people to drop off groceries to the homebound, and those who are able are asked to consider buying a bag of groceries and dropping it off in the shopping cars behind the church, located on 110 Military St., between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Donations can also be left on the rectory porch. Donations can include cereal, juice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and other items. Monetary contributions are also accepted.
The pantry has been a labor of love for nearly three decades, getting its name from a woman named Mildred Madigan, who spent many of those years as a volunteer and manager of the pantry and helped set the tone for its mission as well.
“No one ever asks personal questions of those seeking assistance, and religion and church is never discussed,” Madigan said on the occasion of the pantry being named after her in 2015. “The need for food is the only prerequisite for coming to the pantry.”
The guiding principle of both the pantry and café remains placing service above self, and it continues to guide volunteers even in uncertain times.
If people need the informational resources once available in the café, like details on assisted living, bus schedules, career advancement, disability services, educational programs, finances, and more, they can still call (207) 532-8541 and leave a message.
“I pray we will be able to return to some form of the café before too long,” said Dobbs.
Temporary obstacles for an institution that has given the Houlton area and its residents so much.
The pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Anyone in need can call (207) 532-9122 on Tuesday or Thursday mornings between 8:30-9:30 a.m. to schedule a socially-distanced appointment to pick up food. All are welcome.
For more information about the pantry or café, contact St. Mary of the Visitation Parish at (207) 532-2871.
