OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The Old Orchard Beach Community Food Program recently received a donation of more than $5,000 from Atlantic Credit Union.  Representatives from the credit union last week presented the pantry at 155 Saco Ave. with a check for $5,463.05.

The donation to the Old Orchard Beach Community Food Program was part of the Atlantic Credit Union’s participation in the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Through the Campaign for Ending Hunger, credit unions across the state raised more than a $1 million last year. Atlantic Credit Union raised more than $140,000, which was distributed to 17 food pantries and meal programs and Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Credit Union staff find participating in campaign very rewarding said Jamie Mawhinney, senior vice president of loan services for Atlantic Credit Union.

“We appreciate all that you do,” she said to food pantry volunteers.

The Old Orchard Beach Community Food Pantry is open 2 – 5 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays and is entirely volunteer run. One team of volunteers works Sunday and Monday mornings to pick up food from Good Shepard Food Bank, Hannaford and Trader Joe’s and organize items on shelves. The other team works Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays, waiting on customers and helping them as needed.

The pantry serves 50 to 60 families a week, with families ranging from one person to seven or eight, said pantry volunteer and board member Maggie Settino. Families can come once a week to receive food, she said.

While many people may be shy about coming to a food pantry for help, the volunteers have created a welcoming environment. Pantry workers make sure items are available for individual dietary needs, such as gluten free diets. There is also a pet food pantry, and if a client comes in with a dog, the four-legged friend will get a small treat.

“We try to get to know all of our clients individually and offer support to them when they are having tough times,” said Settino.

The Old Orchard Beach Community Food Pantry has collection buckets in several local stores to help provide funds for a school backpack program that distributes items to local schools. Food given to schools includes individual meals and snacks that are easy to prepare and carry in a backpack, such as oatmeal, microwavable macaroni and cheese, soup, pudding cups and applesauce.

The pantry accepts donations of non-perishable food items as well as personal items such as deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and tooth brushes, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels and adult-size diapers.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.