Is it just for the moment we live

What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie

Are we meant to take more than we give

Or are we meant to be kind

Karen Parker experienced a “What’s it all about?” moment six years ago. She had worked in retail for 30 years, mainly at LL Bean, but she sensed the need for a change. “I was feeling unfulfilled, and I was trying to decide what to do with the rest of my life.” Karen had always been interested in the nonprofit sector, so she took a part time job as Program Director at the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP). Six months later the executive director left, and Karen got appointed to the position. Karen Parker has never looked back, and the MCHPP has never looked stronger.

The numbers tell the tale. This past year, MCHPP served over 320,000 meals through its various programs: Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Pantry to Pantry, Food Mobiles, Backpack and Summer Meals. The cost per meal was only about $2.25, thanks to the extraordinary support of volunteers and donors.

About 1,000 people volunteer every year to supplement the 11-member staff. The volunteers do everything from cooking and serving meals in the Soup Kitchen to loading shelves in the Food Pantry to delivering meals to the homebound to packing lunches for schoolchildren. They also assist in picking up the vast quantities of food — nearly a million pounds every year — rescued from chains, such as Hannaford, Shaw’s, Target and Trader Joe’s. In addition, the MCHPP receives tremendous quantities of food from local farms, such as Six Rivers Farm and Fairwinds Farm. “The generosity of local businesses and farms is outstanding,” says Karen.

Everyone is welcome at the Soup Kitchen, which is open six days a week. Many participants enjoy the social interaction as much as the meal; souls get nourished along with bodies. Families who qualify may come to the Food Pantry every 14 days. “I’ve noticed that the vast majority of families who qualify don’t come to the Food Pantry every 14 days. I asked a woman why she didn’t come more often, and she said, ‘We only want to come when we absolutely need it.’ I told her to come more often and use the extra money to pay another bill or buy an extra pair of shoes.”

“We’re meeting a hidden need, which most people don’t notice unless they look around,” explains Karen. The three biggest barriers to MCHPP”s further expansion include transportation, awareness and the stigma associated with accepting free food. Karen adds that MCHPP always welcomes volunteers and donors. If you’re willing to help, they can put you to work. If you contribute to the MCHPP, your investment will be used wisely. (Go to www.mchpp.org for information on ways to contribute.)

Karen Parker is glad that she made the career shift. “It’s very rewarding to know that we’re reducing the anxiety of lots of families struggling to put food on the table.” She along with the hundreds of volunteers and donors to the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program know what it’s all about.

David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary or suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns at dtreadw575@aol.com.