BIDDEFORD — The Stone Soup Food Pantry has been a reliable source for people in need of food for 25 years, and it’s looking to expand its offerings.

The all-volunteer run pantry provides food for about 150 families a week who come to the 180 Main St., Biddeford location. Those who come to the pantry must live in York County, and can come for food once a week and also browse donated used clothing.

Over the years, the need has grown, and pantry volunteers don’t see that ending any time soon.

“Every week, there’s somebody new registering,” said Co-Director Donald Liberty.

Volunteers strive to make sure they best accommodate the needs of their clientele.

Patrons are allowed to choose their own items. This assures less food waste, according to pantry officials. In the past, when people were given a set arrangement of items, there would often be unwanted items that would be unused, and sometimes thrown out or donated back to the pantry.

The food pantry operates from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Patrons draw numbers and get their place in line through a lottery system, to ensure that everyone gets treated fairly.

Those who go to the pantry for food are welcome to come early and socialize over a cup of coffee.

Volunteers are attuned to the clients need, and have created a comfortable atmosphere. Pantry officials want to expand on the good work the facility is doing and create more of a resource center.

“We’re calling it a new beginning for Stone Soup,” said Co-Director Michelle Gionest.

Gionest said Stone Soup officials want the facility to not only be a place where people can get food, but a place where they can get information.

As part of its expanded offerings, the facility will offer couponing and other classes, and may offer the use of a room for groups like Alcoholics Anonymous who need a meeting space, said Gionest.

Associate Director Nancy Beaulieu, who has a background in nutrition, has begun doing demonstrations on meals people can make using items in the pantry and will be teaching cooking classes.

“These are easy, simple recipes you can do at home,” she said. People sometimes shy away from certain items because they do not know how to prepare them, she said. For example, the long Italian loaf breads often don’t get taken but they can be easily used to make pizza. Beaulieu and other volunteers are also working on a cook book.

Those who would like to make a donation or want more information on Stone Soup can go to www.stonesouppantry.com.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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