By Natalie de La Garza
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — In support of the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry, a Spaghetti Supper will be held on Saturday, April 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the new Fellowship Hall of the Caribou Assembly of God on Sweden Street in Caribou.
Last year’s supper raised $4,200 to support the food pantry, and organizers are hoping for another excellent turnout.
In addition to the funds generated for the supper, the churches supporting the pantry have received financial support from Thrivent for Lutherans. Thrivent provides $1 for every three hours of volunteer time given to the planning, preparation and service for this project — and that adds up to increased support for the pantry and its mission to help those in need.
Through generous support of area businesses, all of the expenses for the supper have been covered so that all of the proceeds from the evening can directly benefit those facing a food emergency in the greater Caribou community.
There are eight area churches that comprise the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry Board of Directors — Faith Lutheran Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Gray Memorial United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist Church, Lidstone United Methodist, Caribou Assembly of God and Caribou Church of the Nazarene. Each church provides volunteers for the pantry on a rotating schedule.
Director of the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry Jessica Feeley explained that this is their biggest fundraiser of the year; they serve up to 24 families nine months a year and in the summer, when they’re only open one day a week, and help see 15 families through a food emergency.
Feeley explained that a food emergency is what happens when a family has to pay for rent, heat and medication — and there isn’t any money left to purchase food.
“We try to help out as many families as we can,” she said. “One of the good things is in the summer, folks will bring us their extras from their gardens and fresh food is always a good thing.”
Not only will the attendance at the supper help the Ecumenical Food Pantry continue its mission to help those in need, the homemade Italian food being served is second to none.
Dinner includes their famous pasta with meat sauce (meatless is also available), green salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverages. Takeout is available.
The supper will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, and diners are encouraged to bring their appetites.
