ASHLAND, Maine — The Ashland Area Food Pantry, located at 31A Station Street, is a very special place located at the entrance to the North Maine Woods. The pantry has been managed for the last 15 years by Aroostook RSVP volunteer Mary Caron and is staffed by 23 additional volunteers.
According to Aroostook Agency on Aging Regional Volunteer Coordinator Christine McPherson, during the past two COVID winters, the Pantry’s RSVP volunteers have stepped up to the plate and set up the “store” outside, no matter what the weather conditions were.
The Ashland pantry has recently had a new facelift with the addition of a walk-in freezer, storage area and new shelves, bathroom, and vegetable prep counter and sink area.
“This pantry has stepped up in amazing ways during the pandemic to continue to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, pantry goods, and frozen meats to people in their communities of Oxbow, Nashville, Garfield, Portage, Masardis, and Ashland. A unique item offered is moose meat donated by the town’s Fish & Game Club and private donations,” McPherson added.
The Ashland Area Food Pantry is open the second Tuesday and Thursday of each month from 2-4 p.m. and will also be open the last Wednesday of each month from 2-3 p.m. Several of the two dozen volunteers who keep the pantry running smoothly are, from left, are Phyllis Pelletier, Wendy Robinson, Connie Harold and Lendell Tarr.
(Contributed photo)
The Ashland Area Food Pantry receives assistance and donations from Catholic Charities, Good Shepherd, area schools, a donation jar at Ashland One Stop, McCain Foods in Easton, grants and caring individuals in their community. When money is donated, Mary Caron stated that she puts it all back into the community with purchase of food for the pantry.
The pantry is open the second Tuesday and Thursday of each month from 2-4 p.m. Consumers are asked to call Caron at 207-435-6015 to schedule a food pickup. The pantry will also be open the last Wednesday of each month from 2-3 p.m. when consumers can stop in to get additional food as needed.
McPherson and Caron invite residents to consider volunteering as an RSVP volunteer to help get food on the tables of people in this beautiful region of northern Maine. For more information, please call the Agency on Aging at 207-764-3396 or email to info@aroostookaging.org.
