A CLOSER LOOK

Benefit dinner for the Buxton Community Food Co-op, Saturday, June 20, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Pythian Sisters Temple, Buxton Center. The menu includes pot roast, gravy, carrots, potatoes, peas and dessert. Cost is $6, $3 for children.

A state police poker raid last month at the Narragansett Pythian Sisters Temple in Buxton is provoking public outrage.

The temple building on Route 22 is where the nonprofit Buxton Community Food Co-op, founded by great-grandmother Joann Groder, 72, distributes donated food to the town’s needy and elderly.

An average of $40 to $50 a week from card players, who donated to play, was used to pay heat and lights to keep the doors open for the food co-op.

State police said 35 people were involved in the unlicensed Texas Hold ’em tournament authorities raided on May 20. State police said a nonprofit entity benefiting from a card game requires a license. The raid, which involved four troopers in plainclothes and two in uniform, followed a previous stakeout outside the temple in Buxton Center. State police seized more than $500 in cash, poker chips and cards as evidence

“No charges have been filed regarding this investigation and the case is under review,” Sgt. William Gomane of the state’s nonprofit gaming licenses unit, said Wednesday.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for Maine Department of Public Safety, said Tuesday the district attorney’s office would determine whether there would be any charges. York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence said he is aware of the case and expects a report from state police within a week.

Buxton police, who were not involved in the raid, and the selectmen’s office both have been peppered with e-mails criticizing the raid.

“Two or three were uncalled for,” Buxton Police Chief Mike Grovo said about the language in the e-mails.

One example, sent from out of state read: “I think it is absolutely despicable that your town seized the funds raised for the needy on the pretext that those playing poker to raise funds did not have a permit. What kind of cruel, compassionless ‘stick up _______’ people are you out there in Maine?”

The selectmen’s office is responding to e-mail complaints and referring comments to Gomane.

Selectman Bob Libby said Tuesday he hadn’t read any of the e-mails, but that Groder has “a lot of support around town,” adding that the food co-op has saved the town money in general assistance. Libby said the food co-op serves up to 60 or 70 people on each of the four days it is open weekly.

“They have a tremendous number of people they are helping,” he said.

The food co-op, which opened in December of 2007, is responsible for paying bills to keep the Pythian Sisters building open, and needs donations.

Nonprofits can obtain a license from the state for a single Texas Hold ’em tournament for $200. David Bowler of Maine State Police said the maximum number of players allowed is 100 and up to $100 per person can be charged as an entry fee. The game would have to be completed within 48 hours.

The food-coop had already planned a benefit supper to help raise money. It is hosting a pot roast dinner on Saturday, June 20, at the Pythian Sisters Temple.

As for Groder, who is at the center of a story that has made headlines statewide, “I have no comment,” she said Tuesday. “I’m not taking any calls.”