BETHEL — Dave Bean along with volunteers Maryvonne Wheeler, Jane Chandler, Sue Lowe, Mary McVey, and many others have made huge strides toward ending hunger in Western Maine at the Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry.
Adding a VISTA volunteer to their team is next for the ambitious group.
The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer will come by way of Ending Hunger Corps, a program sponsored by Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Forestry (DACF), whose goal is to fulfill Maine’s commitment to creating a hunger-free state by 2030.
Position
Bethel Food Pantry Executive Director Bean said the VISTA volunteer, one of just 25 statewide, will work full-time in a year-round position at the Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry.
More specifically, the Bethel VISTA volunteer will spend several weeks interviewing neighbors, volunteers, the District Exchange directors (Lowe and Chandler) and the Food Pantry director (McVey) along with board members, and the executive director. Next they will plan and execute a social media initiative, conduct capital campaign research, and look at volunteer relations.
Bean said with a recent raise, the VISTA volunteer stipend is approximately $23,000 per year or bi-weekly the rate of $877.66.
As part of the federal program AmeriCorps, the VISTA volunteer will receive: a bi-weekly living allowance, professional development opportunities, Americorps health benefits, student loan interest paid during service, a Maine State Park pass, a Segal Education Award to pay down student loans or cash payment at end of service, and a relocation allowance.
History
In 1992 Wheeler, Cathy Newell, and Madeleine Henley founded both the District Exchange, where used clothing was donated and purchased, and the Food Pantry to feed those in need. Originally, the money generated from clothing sales were used to buy food for the Food Pantry. Both were housed in Bethel’s Ethel Bisbee School.
Bean began operating the Food Pantry in 2004, while Wheeler continues to guide the nonprofit.
In February of 2012 the District Exchange/Food Pantry became a 501 (c) (3) with a board of directors and the Food Pantry became a Good Shepherd Food Bank partner.
When the Ethel Bisbee School closed, the Food Pantry moved to the Nazarene Church in Bethel. The District Exchange moved to the Bethel Park Apartments, but before the pandemic lost their space and closed.
In June of 2023 the District Exchange re-opened in a new space beside the food pantry at 279 Walkers Mills Road. They are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In July, Maine Program Coordinator and Recruitment Specialist Isabelle Newman visited the exchange and food pantry. On LinkedIn, she wrote, “Meet Dave Bean and the amazing team at the Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry! Since 1992, the pantry has been dedicated to serving the Bethel community. The team is now looking for an AmeriCorps VISTA to help them grow even more.”
“It will be an exciting position and we’re hoping someone from Western Maine will apply,” said Bean.
Applications and other paperwork must be submitted by Aug. 2 with an Aug. 26, Vista Member Orientation scheduled.
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