Vernon River/Belfast Community Pantry

03/08/2026

We should be posting more often to say thank you to everyone who supports the pantry.
Thank you all — what an amazing community! It is so heartwarming to see neighbors stopping in and dropping off food donations. Every contribution counts, big or small. Thank you also to those who support us through community organizations with monetary donations, which allow our volunteers to supplement supplies.

A common comment is that the pantry looks very low and must have been “cleaned out” by someone. This is not the case. While there is occasionally some misuse of supplies, the pantry actually sees quite a few visitors each day, each taking just a few items — and that adds up quickly.

The pantry works best when it is moderately stocked frequently.

The real goal of this pantry is to provide a meal or two for those in our community who need it. While stock can run low, it is rarely empty, and there are almost always potatoes on hand. This pantry is not meant to function as a grocery store, and our community would struggle to sustain that level of demand.

If you are in need of a meal or two, please know that your community wants to support you — no family should go hungry. And thank you for taking only what you currently need, and for remembering that others may be counting on the same support.

12/13/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FA4TaGQBw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Christmas Free Grocery Market Announcement 🎄🎄🎄

The event is by reservation only, and entry requires both your confirmation email and entry ticket.🎟️🎫

To ensure a smooth and comfortable shopping experience, each time slot has a limited number of participants. We’re unable to accommodate walk-ins, and we kindly ask for your understanding.

If you have registered, please make sure you received your confirmation letter and entry ticket by email.

If you need to cancel or have any questions, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the spot to someone on the waitlist.

Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation 🙏

11/19/2025

11/14/2025

Montague Food Bank post…..

10/08/2025

Good morning everyone,

There has been a post on social media lately about bigger donations being cleaned out rather quickly by one or two people. This is not an accurate account.

The pantry activity is being causally monitored and there is capability to look back a few days in history.

In the case of the donation from Gillis Lodge that was mentioned, there were numerous visitors after that donation and they were all quite reasonable in the amount taken. So I feel it’s important to point this out and that we don’t jump to conclusions too quickly.

Please know that there are quite a number of visitors to the pantry daily and it doesn’t take too many visitors to use up the stocks that are in there.

While it is not practical to closely monitor and control the activity in the pantry, and there are times when some visitors take more than we would like to see. I still believe it’s a fair statement to say that the majority of the visitors are very respectful of the generosity of the community.

The pantry is not meant to be and not able to be the grocery store, but merely a place that those in need can come and get a few items for a meal or two. With the amount of visitors quite honestly it is difficult to keep it stocked.

We highly encourage that visitors take a modest amount to allow others to also have the opportunity.

And as always the generosity of the community is so much appreciated to allow this place to be here in our community. Thank you all for support!!

For donators the best case scenario is to donate a smaller amount of items more frequently which allows for a more orderly flow.

08/19/2025

To the ladies that cleaned the pantry today…. Thank you. You did an awesome job!

08/15/2025

So nice to see our fridge so full….

04/04/2025

Thank you to the CWL ladies for giving our refrigerator a much needed good cleaning today! Team work!!! 😊

03/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hp8S2eaNy/?mibextid=WC7FNe

12/17/2024

Just a reminder that we are a “Food” pantry and as such are not able to accept donations of clothing, books, toys, kitchen wear etc. While we appeciate your good intentions, we do not have the space or resources to house such items. Dropping off such items creates extra work for our volunteers having to remove those items.
Tks.

Merry Christmas!

12/11/2024

Merry Christmas!! 🎄

We have 45 families registered for a Christmas hamper. We have been able to secured all the necessities for a lovely Christmas dinner.
However, if anyone would like to donate a Christmas treat to the hamper please call or text Bonnie at 969-4850 to arrange drop off or possibly pick up, (on or before December 17).

As always the pantry is open and gratefully accepting food donations.
Monetary donations can be etranfer to [email protected] or dropped off at the office of G Visser & Sons Potato Warehouse (next to the pantry).

Thank you for your continued support! Together we’re better!