St. John’s Food Pantry celebrates opening and blessing of new location

Prayers were answered for the staff at the St. John the Baptist Food Bank as they celebrated a ribbon cutting and blessing of its new location in Winslow. A December storm caused severe flooding in many parts of Maine. It left more than six inches of water in the former food pantry location in the basement of St. John the Baptist Church in Winslow damaging food, a commercial refrigerator, and a freezer.

“Now, we are on one floor, and everything has a place. We don’t have to move boxes to find items. It’s a total blessing,” Director of the St. John the Baptist Food Pantry Anne Hodgdon said. “God is good. The feeling is overwhelming just to know we have a forever home now.”

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, parishioners, volunteers, clients, and the community came together to celebrate the opening of the new location in the kitchen of the former St. John the Baptist School at 11 St. John Street in Winslow.

The St. John the Baptist Food Bank helps around 100 individuals and families every month. The new location is brighter and gives them more space to collect, organize and distribute food for the community. Catholic Charities Maine gave the food bank a grant for a new commercial refrigerator and shelving. Catholic Charities Maine was able to cover the cost of the refrigerator thanks to a $25,000 disaster relief grant from Catholic Charities USA.

“We can continue to reach out to those who are in need. This food pantry is going to be a springboard to reach out to our brothers and sisters in the community. And it is not only this area, but also far beyond for anyone who is looking for help,” Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish Fr. Patrick Agbodi said.

Fr. Agbodi led a prayer, ribbon cutting and blessing of the food bank during the opening celebration.

“The journey to this opening has been a challenge. But thank God for today. And the storm that happened, happened. That’s a part of nature. We have no control over that. We thank God we are here now,” Fr. Agbodi said.

Hodgdon says the new location for the food pantry is bigger and better meets their operation needs. It has improved accessibility for staff and clients and improved storage for their inventory. Even the kitchen counters for school meal preparation are now being used as workstations for volunteers to put together food donation baskets.

“Our volunteers are like one big family. We work together well. In this food pantry, everything has a home and its place. And it makes helping the community so much easier. Our clients drive right up to our door, and we put the food right in their car. They’re happy. It’s just amazing. I never thought I would see this day. It’s overwhelming. The tears keep flowing, but they are happy tears,” Hodgdon said.

Hodgdon says their location on St. John Street gives them improved visibility to the community. Hodgdon hopes that shines a light on the help they provide.

“If you need help, please come to see us. Tell your neighbors. Tell your friends. We are here to help. We help everybody who walks though these doors from anywhere,” Hodgdon said.

For more information about the food pantry and how to sign up for services, contact Corpus Christi Parish at [email protected] or call (207) 872-2281.

Corpus Christi Parish, established in July of 2007, is the union of seven predecessor parish churches, a summer chapel, and a Newman Apostolate at Colby College, serving the Catholic Community of greater Waterville.  The parish is named in honor of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.