BREWER, Maine — The Brewer Christian Food Cupboard, which has operated out of a closet in the basement of a local church for nearly three decades, moved into a new, larger home on Center Street two years ago and things went downhill from there.
The food pantry, which was started by Anne Piper and others in the basement of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, closed on Aug. 17, part-time manager Jim Roche said on Friday, as the last of the remaining goods were donated to local agencies.
“We served about 130 households a month and fed probably 350 people,” he said.
The cost of operating the larger facility was the downfall, Roche said. When operating out of St. Patrick’s basement, the pantry had no overhead.
“It cost $3,200 a month to run the cupboard,” he said. “One-third went to rent, one-third went to the paid manager and one-third was spent on food.”
The cupboard was supported by food and monetary donations from eight area Christian churches and food donations from a number of local businesses. Money raised was used to buy food from Good Shepherd Food-Bank, which Roche said has been affected by the bad economy.
“Donations are down, so there is less food to divide” between regional food banks, he said. “We’re just a little fish in the pond. I don’t believe we will be the last food cupboard to close,”
City Manager Steve Bost said the city did attempt to help the Brewer Christian Food Cupboard stay afloat because, “anytime a resource like this closes it’s doors, it has an impact” on residents.
To lower operating costs, “we tried to assist them in finding an alternate location but were unsuccessful,” Bost said.
The Together Place in downtown Bangor on Union Street is accepting the food pantry’s displaced clients, Roche said.
“We’re also sending them to the Salvation Army” at 65 South Park St. in Bangor, Roche said. “And the Clifton Food Bank is taking the Eddington clients. The Together Place stepped up as soon as we made the announcement.”
The entrance to the Together Place, which is located across from the Bangor Y, is from Second Street. Proof of residency in Brewer, proof of income and social security cards are required at the first visit, a flyer about the facility posted at Brewer City Hall states.
It doesn’t make sense to me that a local charity like this, which was previously using an empty closet (donated free) in a basement, with (presumably?) a volunteer running it, would “expand” to pay rent on a space more than most people’s mortgage, take on a paid employee, and spend the rest on food to donate. It really seems to me that if they really were interested in helping as many people as possible, it would have continued in the overhead-free space they previously had.
I’m not slamming on them, but, that really doesn’t make any sense to me.
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I agree. 3200 a month ovh expenses…?? are they trying to compete with Manna in Bangor? it should be about the people… even if they had to move out and run from a closet again.. no reason it should have closed. I’m sure Ms. Piper would not agree with this…
Kind of sad to read about another one closing. Months ago I helped out a person by giving him rides to food banks and I was surprised at the small amount of food they do hand out. I had to take him to three different food banks just so he had enough food for a single week. From what I saw if you do need to visit a food bank, Manna seemed to be the best place to go. Just make sure you bring some plastic bags with you and if you need to visit the Salvation Army make sure you call them first as you do need an appointment, you cannot just walk in.
You are right donations both from individuals and corporations are WAY down.I’ve worked as a rack jobber and trust me times have changed just in the last couple of years.Bread guys,for example were allowed a % of returns to donate.Now everything is counted and dates are recorded.Supermarkets are being squeezed too.
You’re not wrong but a starvation diet only makes things worse as your body squeezes calories not knowing when it will be fed again.Are you going without to help your neighbors?I donate to Manna when I can.Bill does marvelous things with next to nothing.
I like squirrel with my Romen noodles.
Gak.Not sure which of the two things is worse.
Good morning, governor.
Why not move it back to the closet in the basement of the church?!
The cupboard was supported by food and monetary donations from eight area Christian churches EIGHT churches couldn’t provide help with space, money or anything THIS is extreamly sad! People wonder why church numbers are down..for me this is a perfect example
Of the $3200/month expenses, 1/3 went to rent, 1/3 went to PAY someone to work there, and 1/3 spent on food. NOT non-profit, not charity as we think of it if someone is making$1100 a month for a PART TIME position AND someone else was making $1100 month is rent!!!
Do some investigative work, BDN. Who owns 71 Center Street in Brewer and is getting $1100/month in rent???
Start growing some of your own food. Self-sufficiency in our region is all that will save us when food shortages make themselves known around here. We’re already paying for grain shortages because so much of the crop national/internationally was destroyed by drought, fires, floods, and heat.
Oh, but Global Warming can’t be real because Rush Limbaugh says it isn’t, right?