Benefit tithes to food pantry

By Elna Seabrooks  
Staff Writer  
    HOULTON — The Church of the Good Shepherd held a benefit pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 24, the evening before Lent began on Ash Wednesday, when an estimated 125 area residents turned out for the popular annual event which donated a portion of the proceeds to St. Mary’s food pantry.
Houlton Pioneer Times  photo/Elna Seabrooks
GENEROUS TITHE — Rev. Leslie Nesin, right, priest at the Church of the Good Shepherd, presents a $100 check to Mildred Madigan, coordinator for the St. Mary’s food pantry on Military Street in Houlton.
    Rev. Leslie Nesin, an Episcopal priest at the church, says St. Mary’s was selected as the recipient of a donation because “they can make $100 go a really long way if they get cash.” The gift to the food pantry was a tithe from the event’s proceeds.
    Mildred Madigan, coordinator of the food pantry, says although local residents drop off much appreciated and needed non-perishable food items, she can stretch cash donations at the warehouse in Brewer where they often give out free food. “If I’m down there with the car, I can bring that all home. That includes meat for 16 cents a pound. Last week I went down and I got pizzas, hot dogs and sandwich meat. My little car was filled right up and it cost $171.”
    Madigan says anyone who needs food is eligible to come to the food pantry at the church on Military Street in Houlton. “We ask no questions about their financial need. If they need food, it’s a basic need, then they get food here.”
    Madigan and her team of volunteers operate the food pantry out of the church basement. Arrangements for picking up food must be made by calling 532-9122 Tuesday and Thursday between 9 and 11 a.m.