BIDDEFORD — The old sliding door cooler at Biddeford Food Pantry has been repaired many times and is reaching beyond its lifespan. Storage in the warehouse is at a premium, and some refrigerators are more than showing their age.

It is — or was — a conundrum, particularly at a time when food costs are increasing and so is the number of families looking for help.

Enter the St. Louis Alumni Association, which once members learned of the situation, made the pantry a gift of $15,000.

“This is a wonderful donation, we’re very happy and thrilled,” said pantry President and Manager Don Bisson.

The number of families served is increasing, he said. “We’re getting more and more people; we used to have 40-50 clients a day,” said Bisson. He noted there were 88 families served on Feb. 7, about 80 on Feb. 8 and 94 on Feb. 9.

Biddeford Food Pantry spends $1,500 weekly purchasing food from Good Shepherd Food Bank, and another $1,500 at a local discount store.

St. Louis Alumni Association members spoke succinctly about their donation in a note to the Courier:

“The much-needed items will improve the pantry’s operational capabilities as it works to meet food expenditures of around $3,000 a week,” St. Louis Alumni Association officers wrote. “The award represents ongoing initiatives by the Alumni to serve and give back to the community.”

Bisson said warehouse space is limited and the purpose-built 10-foot by 16-foot shed ordered from a local manufacturer will store six pallets — space is good when one buys in bulk.

He said the current sliding door cooler, a donation made many years ago, is ailing and is destined to be replaced and if the funds permit, two aging refrigerators will also be replaced.

Biddeford Food Pantry is open 9  to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 162 Elm St.