For June, Damariscotta Hannaford has picked Wiscasset’s Help Yourself Shelf (HYS) at St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., to receive a $1 donation from the sale of every $2.50 Fight Hunger Bag.

The Fight Hunger Program facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference where shoppers live and work. Almost $1million has been donated to over 1,400 hunger organizations since the program launched in April 2014. HYS is gratified to once more be a recipient of the program. It is also gratifying to be a Fresh Rescue partner with Damariscotta Hannaford. The partnership allows HYS to provide nutritious supplies to its participants who come from Wiscasset and surrounding towns. 

The Shelf appreciates its other partners, Boothbay Hannaford and Wiscasset Shaw’s for their consistent donations, not to mention the support by many local community groups and businesses. Big Al Cohen needs to be singled out especially for his support of and commitment to HYS as a donor and a volunteer.

HYS is open each Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30, in St. Philip’s Lippiatt Hall at 12 Hodge St. to provide food, personal care and cleaning products, as well as pet food for the furry members of the family. While pandemic modifications have eased, HYS still admits one car at a time to receive a box of shelf-stable foods, produce and proteins, along with the opportunity to shop for items displayed inside.

The Shelf is always in need of volunteer help. There are several options, from building the boxes on Tuesdays, to helping with the fresh rescue program Tuesdays through Thursdays, to being part of the Thursday afternoon crew or the Thursday morning home delivery crew.  Please consider becoming part of this effort. Many of us have been in need of supplemental food at one time or another, and this is a great way to give back or pay it forward. 

To explore this volunteer possibility, or to find out more about HYS, call St. Philip’s at 882-7184, or email helpyourselfshelf@gmail. Visit our website at https://helpyourselfshelf.wordpress.com, or like us at https://www.facebook.com/HelpYourselfShelfFoodPantry/