CARIBOU, Maine — Organizations, businesses and residents in the Caribou area have stepped up to help the Bread of Life Kitchen, an organization that provides regular meals to vulnerable residents in the community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not shut down the kitchen — considered an essential service — but it has led to the loss of elderly volunteers at a time when unemployment is skyrocketing and the organization may need to provide more meals.
People in the Caribou area recognize the kitchen’s needs and are stepping up to help however they can, according to Bread of Life Kitchen Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Hersey and Chairman Ken Murchison.
Hersey said the Caribou Fire Department volunteers recently paid for 40 takeout meals from Cindy’s Sub Shop for the kitchen to distribute, and the Maine Veteran’s Home team, who serve soup at the kitchen each month, also purchased 40 takeout meals from Federick’s Southside.
“It’s a win-win-win for the soup kitchen, local restaurants and our community,” Hersey said.
Cary Medical Center — another organization that regularly cooks and serves food at the kitchen — also helped volunteers at the kitchen develop and implement safe pandemic protocols. The Aroostook County Mask Sewing Group provided face masks for volunteers to use during meal distribution, and County Environmental Engineering donated disposable nitrile gloves.
City staff from the library and municipal office have volunteered, and Hersey said the kitchen has more than 30 active volunteers to help out.
“I couldn’t list them all individually, but a special thanks should be given to the Conroy Family, Caribou Rotary Club and Caribou Homemakers Co-Op as well as our dedicated cooks Matt, Betheny, Brenda, Thelma, Karen, Tom and Amy,” she said. “Of course there’s Jean, David, Ken and the rest of the board members who secure food, maintain the facility and handle all the reporting and administrative work.”
Murchison said it’s great to see younger volunteers become involved during the crisis.
“It’s exciting that we’re able to offer meals,” he said. “People can’t come in and sit down and dine, but we are still providing the service.”
As of March 7, Murchison said the food pantry is still going strong throughout the pandemic, adding that the Good Shepherd Food Bank has been working to obtain rations boxed by L.L. Bean for the Bread of Life Kitchen to ensure that they can still provide pre-packaged meals in case they run out of supplies.
Anyone interested in volunteering can message the Caribou Bread of Life Kitchen page on Facebook or mail or drop off donations to 62 Collins St. in Caribou.
Murchison said aspiring volunteers would be set up to help in a way that best fits their comfort level, whether it’s preparing and serving food in the kitchen or donating food or money to the organization. The organization is in particular need of fresh produce, he said.
While many in the community have offered their assistance, the organization has a core group of about a dozen volunteers, and is open 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“We hope people stay safe and healthy, and certainly we’ll be there for the long run,” Murchison said.
