What It Really Takes to Feed 300 Neighbors Each Month

Every month, more than 300 of our neighbors in the greater Dexter area come through Heart of Maine Resource Center’s food distribution. Some are parents balancing bills and groceries. Others are older adults on fixed incomes. Some come just once during a rough patch, and some come regularly to help make ends meet. No matter their story, everyone is welcomed with kindness, and no questions asked.

But behind every box of food is a remarkable team effort—and a community that shows up to make sure no one goes without.

From Planning to Packing

It starts on the first Tuesday of each month, when 6–8 volunteers gather at Piscataquis Regional Food Center in Dover-Foxcroft. PRFC, one of our closest partners, stores and sources food for us through the Good Shepherd Food Bank. When we arrive, the boxes are ready to be filled with shelf-stable items—soups, cereals, canned fruit and vegetables, milk, pasta and sauce, tuna or peanut butter, and more.

Thanks to our experienced packing crew, we can prepare about 160 boxes in just under an hour when we’re fully staffed. It’s an hour full of conversation, laughter, and shared purpose. Everyone knows how much these boxes matter.

Boxes that will be filled with food

Distribution Day

On the first Wednesday of the month, our team heads to the Dexter municipal parking lot for distribution. Volunteers arrive at 10 a.m. to help unload the delivery truck from PRFC and pack bags of produce. Each household receives a box of shelf-stable food, a bag of fresh produce, a frozen meat item, and, when available, a specialty item like bread, eggs, or even pizza.

A sample of what each household receives from our food distribution.

Some cars start lining up as early as 6 a.m. By the time we officially open at 10:30, the lot is already busy. One volunteer handles intake, asking each neighbor which town they’re from, how many people are in their household, how many are under 18, and how many are over 60. We then ask where in the vehicle they'd like the food loaded, and our team makes it happen with care.

Food distribution wraps up around 12:30 p.m., but the work doesn’t stop there. A few volunteers stay to help clean up and deliver boxes to neighbors who couldn’t make it in person. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

It takes about 3.5 cumulative hours times 8 volunteers for a total of 28 volunteer hours each month—but dozens of moving parts come together to make it possible.

What’s in the Box Matters

We do our best to offer well-rounded boxes each month—ensuring that every neighbor receives food that is nourishing, familiar, and usable. Over the last year, we’ve been especially excited to include produce from the Dexter Community Garden, a growing partnership that reflects our hope to connect more local food with local people.

We can currently fill a food box for about $12. That’s possible because of our partnerships and because of the generous hands that help pack and distribute. But we want our supporters to know: every donation makes a huge impact. Every dollar helps us reach more neighbors, add more variety, and include more fresh food in each box.

Why It Matters

One moment we’ll never forget: an elderly woman pulled up in tears, telling us she didn’t know how she’d eat without this food. It reminded us why we keep things simple. We don’t ask for income verification. We know that hunger doesn’t always look like we expect, and we never want someone to feel shame for needing a little help. Everyone is welcome.

Our volunteers often say how meaningful the work is—that they love getting to serve their community and be part of something hands-on and heart-led. From packing to loading cars, it’s about more than food—it’s about connection.

Our great volunteers braving the cold weather to get food to our neighbors.

How You Can Help

As we continue to grow and prepare for the launch of our new Client Choice Food Center, we need your help more than ever. Your support allows us to keep this program strong—and dream even bigger.

Here are two ways to get involved:

• Volunteer: Lend a hand packing boxes, distributing food, or helping with cleanup and deliveries. You can email us to sign up at info@theheartofmaine.org.

• Donate: A gift of $25 provides food for two households. Every dollar makes a difference. https://givebutter.com/X9opO9

Because when neighbors help neighbors, everyone thrives.