Sweden food pantry serves Waterford, region

The Sweden Community Church is a busy place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Cars line Rt. 93 next to the church by the town office on those days to access the Sweden Food Pantry that serves a dozen western Maine communities. Among those towns are Waterford, Stoneham, Fryeburg, Lovell, Stow and Sweden.

Sweden Food Pantry volunteers Carol Madsen of Waterford (left) and Claudia Blondell of Sweden at left and Nancy Michaud.

In 2019 the Sweden Food Pantry observed its 10th anniversary.  The pantry serves nearly 100 households each month, distributing food to eligible families. The pantry is located in the basement of the Sweden Community Church but in 2018 became its own nonprofit or 501C3. The Pantry operates from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. but that doesn’t stop patrons from arriving early to get in line.

“We don’t turn anybody away,” said volunteer Claudia Blondell, noting that each family is given enough food to last five to seven days. Through the generosity of towns such as Waterford and the donations of churches, libraries, businesses, service organizations, farmers and individuals, the Food Pantry is attempting to increase the amount and variety of food that we distribute. In 2018 we purchased our first refrigerator for dairy produce such as milk, butter, and cheese, as our patrons specifically asked for these kinds of products.  All refrigerators and freezers we’d had in the past were used items, except for one freezer awarded through a grant from Good Shepard Food Bank of Maine.

Volunteers make regular trips to Good Shepard where $1 buys $8 worth of food.  Food is received quarterly from the Federal Assistance Program. Lastly, through a Good Shepard program, food is bought from local farms to assure that our patrons have fresh food in season.  Hannaford’s produce and bakery products still on the shelf by the “sell by” date is donated to the Pantry as well. Finally, some food is purchased at the grocery stores to meet special needs or requests.

For more information about the Sweden Food Pantry, to volunteer, donate or inquire about eligibility, stop by on the first or third Wednesday of the month, meet our team and get your questions answered.

Charlotte Ackerman sorts bread at the Sweden Food pantry.

Source: Mutiny Brook Times Issue 104