St. Philip’s Help Yourself Shelf Food Pantry, 12 Hodge St. in Wiscasset, is open to all who are suffering from food insecurity.  With sign up starting at 4 p.m. and choose time at 5 p.m., the Help Yourself Shel strives to help ease that insecurity for any who seek us out.

To that end, many community groups and individuals have given aid to the Shelf.  Thanks needs to be proffered to the town of Wiscasset for investing in the Shelf through its underwriting of the Cupboard Collective program at Good Shepherd Food Bank, as well as its financial donation on account at GSFB. This program not only is more time and energy-efficient, it also allows for greater amounts of supplies to be delivered and dispersed to this area, classified by the government as a ‘food desert.’ The coming winter is promising to be a long and harsh one.  HYS anticipates seeing its already elevated numbers increase yet again as those living on the edge of poverty have to dedicate more of their income to heat and other living expenses.

HYS is grateful for its ability to glean food at Shaw’s of Wiscasset, long a pantry supporter, as well as at Hannaford in both Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor.  Don’t forget that buying its ending hunger shopping bags at Boothbay Harbor Hannaford during the month of September further supports the pantry, as 25 cents from each bag bought there is donated to HYS.

We also offer tremendous thanks to Twin Village Pantry Farm, Two Bridges Jail garden, Chewonki Foundation’s farm, as well as Morris Farm. With their support many people are able to access fresh produce during gardening time that would otherwise be financially beyond them.

A big thank you goes to Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program of Brunswick which has helped many times, passing along excess foods and supplies.

The HYS has a small group of volunteers that needs to know they are appreciated for their help in the day-to-day running of the HYS.  Speaking of volunteers, the Help Yourself Shelf is always in need of help. If you are looking for something meaningful to involve yourself in, please call St. Philip’s Church at 882-7184, and leave a message with a return phone number.

Wiscasset Congregational Church continues to be a solid partner with St. Philip’s, contributing its time, talent, and treasure, and making it possible for the Shelf to function. United Way of Midcoast Maine, unions at Bath Iron Works, and the patrons of the Wiscasset Transfer Station bottle bin, the First, and Midcoast Federal Credit Union also need to be thanked for their continued support.  Running totally on contributions and volunteer help, the Help Yourself Shelf would not be able to continue its mission without this support, as well as that of the many individuals who contribute funds and items for redistribution. Thank you, and please continue to support the pantry.  No contribution is too big or too small. 

As St. Philip’s is a 501(c)(3) entity, contributions are tax deductible. Send contributions to Help Yourself Shelf, St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset, ME 04578. Please help us help those in our communities who need a leg up.