CARIBOU, Maine — In support of the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry, a Spaghetti Supper will be held on Saturday, April 26 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 brought out about 100 hungry folks to help support the food pantry, but organizers are hoping for about 300 this year with the extra space available in the Fellowship Hall.
The annual supper has been held in early spring since its first year in 2009 to coincide with the time that the Food Pantry could qualify for additional funding from the Feinstein Foundation based on the amount of money raised by donations during a two-month period.
Not only can the pantry qualify for additional funding from the Foundation by increased financial support from the community, but also by the number of non-perishable food items donated which equates to $1 per item or pound.
In addition to money from the Feinstein Foundation, the churches 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.
The churches also have the generous support of a number of area businesses. All of the expenses for the supper are covered by the generosity of local businesses, so that all of the proceeds can be used to help feed 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, 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 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 Fellowship Hall, and diners are encouraged to bring their appetites.
