When the storm week’s power outage went on and on, and when bags of ice became hard to find to keep freezers and refrigerators cool so that the Help Yourself Shelf Pantry’s food didn’t spoil, community stepped up to help. Marian Anderson and the town’s public works departments quickly moved to provide a generator and extension cords to keep the Shelf from losing hundreds of pounds of meat and other supplies. Eastern River Cattle Company’s Jeff and Linda Biden in Dresden, at the request of St. Philip’s former priest-in-charge and Shelf gleaner, Paul Tunkle, were willing to make space for some of the donated food in their business’s freezer until things got back to normal. Wiscasset solid citizen Nancy Roby also jumped in to pack things in her freezer. Pantry volunteer Nadine Brown was able to take produce to Twin Village Pantry Farm’s cooler in Damariscotta. The willingness by community members to problem solve and to take action on behalf of others in the community who are in need is truly meaningful, and Shelf workers and, most importantly, the clients are truly, truly grateful.

The St. Philip’s Help Yourself Shelf at 12 Hodge St. in Wiscasset is open each Thursday from 5-6 p.m., but people are encouraged to sign in earlier and to see what will be available when pantry time begins. Because the food pantry has a limited supply of plastic bags, clients are asked to bring their own bags and boxes each time they access the Shelf. For more information,  please call St. Philip’s at 882-7184. Leave a message, and a volunteer will get back in touch.

Help Yourself Shelf’s Thanksgiving pantry day will be Thursday, Nov. 16. The Shelf will not be open during Thanksgiving week except for emergencies, so people accessing the food pantry should make plans accordingly.