Bar Harbor Food Pantry Needs Your Help July 19th for 1st Annual Christmas in July Event

For over 30 years I have been amazed at the generosity of Mainers, and especially those Downeast. The 1 thing I have consistently said, is that Mainers take care of Mainers and those they love.

Unfortunately, there are many in Hancock County that are food insecure. Summer is even worse, as many who rely on free or reduced meals at school aren't able to take advantage of this, with schools out on vacation.

That is why the Bar Harbor Food Pantry has come up with the idea of "Christmas in July"!

On July 19^th, from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m., the Bar Harbor Food Pantry, in partnership with the Criterion Theatre and Side Street Cafe, will host Christmas in July, a campaign to fill every seat of the historic theater with donations.

This past May and June, the Pantry served a record number of customers. As the Pantry faces growing demand for services, donations are increasingly important. “We are hoping our community will help us fill the gap by buying a seat and filling it with food or funds,” says Tom Reeve, Executive Director of the Pantry.

Local businesses have made sponsorships to cover the costs associated with the event. With this support, every donation collected leading up to and on the date of the event will go directly to serving community members facing food insecurity.

Additionally, the Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund is matching every donation up to $20,000! People are encouraged to make monetary donations to take advantage of this great opportunity to double the impact of your gifts.

Financial donations can be made at BarHarborFoodPantry.com/xmas anytime leading up to the event.

Food and funds will also be collected from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on July 19th at the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor. Questions and information about sponsorship opportunities can be sent to Tom Reeve at Bhpantry@BHFP.org. To donate, go to barharborfoodpantry.org/xmas.