OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Former volunteers from the Old Orchard Beach Food Pantry have opened a new pantry.

The Old Orchard Beach Community Food Pantry, located at a business and retail complex at 155 Saco Ave., opened for business Monday. The pantry will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Old Orchard Beach Food Pantry, located at the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, is still in operation.

Carol Davis, former director of the pantry located in the Methodist church and now the director of the new pantry, said volunteers had been planning a move and expansion for about eight months.

In a press release earlier this month, church officials said a committee had been exploring ways to separate the food pantry functions from the church, but after weighing the pros and cons of such an arrangement, church members voted to maintain the pantry at the church, where it has been operating for 20 years.

Davis said the other pantry is not eligible for some grants because of its association with a church, and she said there were space constraints and the clothing closet is in a storage unit that is not heated in the winter.

She and Sandra Paynter, secretary and fundraising coordinator for the Community pantry, said they want to be visible to the community, and future plans include a community center and a thrift store. Paynter said the new location will help them implement the dreams they had for the pantry.

Davis said clients can come in for food twice a month. She said she and other volunteers were hearing when they staffed the other pantry that once a month was not enough, especially for families with children. Davis said the volunteers will also let patrons pick out items to eliminate waste so people don’t go home with items they won’t use. The pantry will also provide household items, like laundry detergent, items which food stamps won’t cover.

Those who wish to get food will have to meet certain income guidelines. However, anyone is invited to come in and get items from the clothes closet or take home some bread.

“There’s some really cute stuff here,” said volunteer Karen Underwood, folding a stack of donated women’s shirts.

The pantry will have a grand opening on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a fundraising yard sale Dec. 7-8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Davis said they are still working on the application for the 501c3 and right now are relying on fundraising          and donations.

“There are some very supportive people in town,” said Paynter. “We have some angels who are just wonderful.”

The pantry, said Davis, is “super rich” with volunteers.

A successful silent auction fundraiser that was done last year at Jumpin’ Jakes will take place again this year, and proceeds will benefit all three pantries in town, including the pantry at the Methodist church and the one at the Salvation Army. Paynter said they want relations to be amiable with other pantries.

“We’re all here working for the people of Old Orchard Beach,” she said.

“We think we can compliment what other pantries are doing,” said Davis.

Items the pantry currently needs include cereal, peanut butter, pasta, tuna fish and non-food household items like laundry detergent. Those interested in donating can stop by the pantry or call Davis at 934-5873.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.