SABATTUS — For a ministry with a sole mission of aiding people in crisis in the Sabattus area, Loaves & Fishes — operated by the Dominican Sisters, OP — has faced challenges during the pandemic.
Located at the Sisters’ convent on Lisbon Road, Loaves & Fishes has provided food and clothing to those in need since 1997. The food pantry serves residents of the community who are in need, regardless of religious affiliation.
When the COVID-19 crisis began, the number of local people in need rose and continued to grow when another area food pantry was forced to close.
“Our food pantry clients have become more numerous because of unemployment and because of that closure. More people needed help with housing, rent, utilities and medical expenses. Mortgages have become a little too high for them right now, risking loss of houses and cars. These people have to make choices between buying food and paying utilities and other bills. We needed to step up and help,” said Sr. Jacqueline Provencher, OP. “We have been able to help many by giving them food for their families and paying some of their bills.”
The first step in confronting the increase in need was to ensure that Loaves & Fishes, as well as the sisters’ thrift shop, Hidden Treasures, would still be able to offer support.
“The first area affected was our resources,” said Provencher. “Without those resources, we would have very little to offer to people in need. We depend on donors who contribute financially. During the pandemic, because of unemployment and uncertainty about the future, some of our donors had to significantly cut back on their donations. We also rely on the Loaves & Fishes bingo for our financial base, and we have not been able to have bingo since March.”
The Dominican Sisters arrived in Sabattus to serve the community in the late 1920s, farming, raising cows and chickens. In the mid-1990s the Dominican Sisters, led by Sr. Lucille Fournier, OP, devoted themselves to providing food and clothing to those in need through the Loaves & Fishes ministry. Sr. Lucille died in 2014, but her work has continued.
“Some of our volunteers contracted COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized. Right now, one volunteer is in the ICU, on a ventilator and in an induced coma,” said Provencher. “We ask for prayers for him, his family, and so many others who are in the same situation.”
Financial donations, nonperishable food items and clothing and furniture for Hidden Treasures will help the program continue offering assistance. For more information, visit sabattusdominicans.org or email [email protected]. Those wishing may also mail a check made out to “Loaves & Fishes” to Loaves & Fishes, 61 Lisbon Road, Sabattus, ME 04280.
Hidden Treasures items can be viewed and scheduled for pickup on the thrift shop’s Facebook page, facebook.com/LoavesFishesHiddenTreasures, and updates on the food pantry are provided at the Loaves & Fishes Facebook page, facebook.com/Loaves-Fishes-of-Sabattus-Maine-320698623802.
Those who have an emergency need, live in the Sabattus area and have exhausted all other means of help can call Loaves & Fishes at 207-375-8399 from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays or email [email protected].