Event raises $10,000 for parish's Saint Joseph Food Pantry in Farmington

Last weekend's showings of The Polar Express at the Narrow Gauge Cinema raised significant funds to support the St. Joseph Center Food Pantry in Farmington. While $1,000 was donated to the cause from ticket sales, another $9,000 was given by an anonymous donor who had previously pledged to match ticket proceeds.

The St. Joseph Center opened during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued ever since to provide nutritious food to neighbors. Narrow Gauge Cinema has been a partner in supporting the food pantry since the beginning.

"The money will be used to supplement the budget for St. Joseph's Food Pantry which recently suffered a setback when the organization that had been providing most of our food had to cut us off due to regulations and guidelines that didn't match our pantry model," said Dan Allen, parish social ministry coordinator for St. Rose of Lima Parish in Jay and St. Joseph Parish in Farmington. "We are a low-barrier pantry and do not require people to demonstrate financial need or to even identify themselves. The pantry is open to all.  We only ask that people take only what they need for a meal or two at a time. Most of our patrons do just that and tell us they are very grateful for what we provide."

The St. Joseph Center Food Pantry, located on corner of Middle and Quebec Streets in Farmington, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  People can come and go as they please, ensuring the utmost freedom and dignity. The food pantry is staffed by generous parishioners and community members. 

"The amount of food normally distributed was valued at about $7500 per month," continued Allen. "The community came together and between food and cash donations, we have been able to distribute about half of what we did previously.  This money will supplement our budget and allow us to provide more meat and fresh vegetables than we have been able to do recently."

Father Paul Dumais, pastor of St. Rose of Lima and St. Joseph parishes, has been recognized for his commitment to food ministry in the diocese, which includes Ora Breads in Jay. A forthcoming story in Harvest magazine will share more about Fr. Dumais' work.

To learn more about the food pantry or to donate, contact Dan Allen at [email protected] or the parish office at 207-778-2778.