Northern York County food pantries in need of volunteers

Although two dozen people may seem like enough, Don Bisson, pantry president and manager, said the organization “could use another five or six a day.”

The holidays may be right around the corner, but the Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach pantries could use more help now.

According to Bisson, the busiest day is Tuesday, when almost 200 families are served. “It just gets busier and busier,” Bisson said.

“Don does everything,” said Jessica Muise, a part-time volunteer secretary, “because we need more volunteers.”

Muise is training Simone Boissonneau, who is also volunteering in the office. When asked if she was excited to start in the new position, Boissonneau replied that she was, adding, “I’m just amazed at everything going on here. The activity and the number of people coming through are very coordinated."

Volunteers wash, sort and bag the goods for anyone who needs it, as Biddeford Pantry does not require proof of residency and all are welcome.

“Year-to-year clients are up 27%,” Bisson said about the need for more help. “We’re the biggest pantry around.”

“Every year there are more families coming,” Muise confirmed. The pantry “always needs more volunteers.”

Those interested can fill out a form online to work shifts from 8-11 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Muise said, “and Don will get right back to them right away.”

According to its website, volunteers have to be at least 17 years old, and documentation of service hours are available.

“There’s lot of great people,” Muise said.

“Being part of the volunteer community means having fun,” said Bob Brochu, who was sorting food the previous day.

John Reynonds, who is the corresponding secretary for the Saco Food Pantry, said Saco has approximately 80 volunteers, including board members.

“It sounds good; it’s really not enough,” Reynolds said. When asked how many volunteers would be enough, he replied, “Unlimited.”

“We have a lot going on; we’re open five days a week,” Reynolds said. Volunteers pick up food every week day, individually break down and package the bulk food and cull the produce. Meanwhile, there is a whole group of people that stock shelves.

The pantry at 67 Ocean Park Road is accessible to only Saco residents from 9-10:30 a.m.

Monday-Friday and the first Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m. However, volunteers also open an outdoor market to all on the first Saturday of the month from 8-9 a.m.

Clients do their own shopping, for which the pantry needs at least five volunteers a day to assist them.

The number of families went down from August to September, “yet the number of individuals and kids went way up,” said Reynolds. “There’s no predicting in this business.”

Saco Food Pantry lost its volunteer coordinator, but is training someone to take their place and also take on two other jobs at the pantry.

“It’s tough. Right now we have three different people,” Reynolds said. “We’re trying our best to compact the three as much as possible.”

Those who are interested in helping out can email Reynolds at meals@sacofoodpantry.org.

“We always need volunteers,” Reynolds said. “We welcome all sorts of people.”

The Old Orchard Beach Food Pantry and Clothes Closet is in "desperate need of volunteers,” said pantry coordinator Jean Rasmus.

Located at the corner of Washington and Fountain avenues and sponsored by the United Methodist Church, food and clothing are available from 9-11 a.m. Monday and Wednesday. All are welcome, with no residency or income requirements.

Normally four people are on duty – two in the kitchen, one at the reception desk and a runner to help people navigate the day’s offerings.

Rasmus said ideally there would be five people on staff so the shelves can be restocked when the pantry is open.

The number of volunteers on any given day depends on “whoever shows up,” she said. “I would like to formally train them.”

There are only seven people in total that work in the pantry/clothes closet, pick up donations and sort and shelve them. Twice a week Rasmus drives to get food in addition to her other duties.

The number served depends on the time of year. In June, 207 individuals were logged in – many seasonal J1 students – compared to 97 in September.

While Oct. 8 was slow due to the weather, the pantry usually serves about 30 people a day. That’s in addition to the residents welcomed at The Old Orchard Beach Community Food Pantry at 155 Saco Ave., also in need of volunteers.