One man’s generosity toward poor families dies when he does.
NEW GLOUCESTER – A food distribution center that supplied food to poor in the area will close June 1, leaving a void for hungry families.
A search has started, says Vickie Doughty of People’s Regional Opportunity Program, a social service agency based in Portland, to find a new warehouse to replace the food distribution site located in former Selectman Robert Leighton’s chicken barn on Route 100.
Leighton died last winter, leaving his philanthropic efforts in limbo. His widow, Beverly, said on Friday, “Its too much to keep it here.”
Leighton provided space to store food for 27 food pantries and three feeding programs in York and Cumberland counties, as well as a pick up site for the New Gloucester Food Pantry.
Roughly 110 area families picked up food supplies monthly. Leighton scoured the area in search of supplies for the families who came to him for help.
New Gloucester selectmen last week were approached by members of the New Gloucester Congregational Church for help to fill the local void for about 40 needy families.
The church has a small 8- by 20-foot garage storage space where they distribute food to 12 parish families. Food is purchased at the Good Shepherd Food bank in Auburn, says Rev. Linda Gard, and some was supplied by Leighton’s operation.
Doughty, who heads up the food distribution program for PROP, says her agency will seek grant assistance to defray the cost of running a center geographically closer to needy families. At this time, a site has been volunteered in Alfred. But time is running out with the closing of the New Gloucester site on June 1.
“We need leadership and partners to share the program in our area,” Gard says. “We are at a crossroad.”
Roger Hines, a member of the church group, says about $14,000 is needed to fund an expansion at the church property garage.
New Gloucester selectmen are the Overseers of the Poor. Town officials administer a General Assistance program that follows special guidelines set up by the government. That fund pays for heat, lights and essential immediate service when eligibility is determined. Locally, the program is administered by Town Manager William Cooper. New Gloucester also has a health officer.
Though sympathetic to the needs of some local families, selectmen say they are constrained by fund limits approved by voters at the annual town meeting.
“We’re not obliged legally as a town to have a pantry for PROP. It’s a whole lot more than it appears on the surface,” said Steve Libby, chairman of the board. “We do not have any funds. It’s not a budgeted item.”
Selectman Steve Chandler said he understands the need but not the mechanics, and has questions regarding setting up a program.
Selectman Jim Giffune asked if any residents could take on the storage need of the program.
Selectman Stephanie Bryan said she has mixed emotions, but understands the greatest need is space and volunteers to move the operation. “Have you thought of a fund-raiser? His (Leighton’s) generosity can’t be a town obligation. It can’t become a town responsibility because someone has died.”
“Even if we do not receive PROP’s process (which includes distribution of USDA food), we will get 50 to 60 people at the corner (church) or you will get them for general assistance,” Gard says. “The impact will still be there. There are a lot of indigent people who can’t come to pick up. Now we’re at capacity. This will be a problem whether we can do it or not.”
If anyone has available space and wants to support the financial operation of the food program, contact Vickey Doughty at 874-1140, ext. 317, or 1-800-698-4959.
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