$273,000 for Bethel Food Pantry Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $273,000 for the Bethel District Exchange and Food Pantry in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  

The omnibus funding package passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29.  It will now be passed by the House before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Bethel District Exchange and Food Pantry work tirelessly to provide nutritious food to Maine people and families in need.,” said Senator Collins.  “This investment will help provide the Food Pantry with a new  modern facility to continue to serve Mainers with healthy food while also reopening the clothing exchange.”

"We are so appreciative of Senator Collins' work guiding these Congressional Appropriations through to strengthen our support of all Oxford County residents." said Dave Bean, Executive Director of the Bethel Food Pantry.

The Bethel Food Pantry serves 20 Western Maine towns and feeds 90 families twice a month, giving clients approximately two weeks worth of food.  The organization is also the regional supplier of Senior Boxes for those age 60 and older and provides food and clothing in each of the SAD 44 schools. They also partner with Good Shepherd Food Bank and area farms to deliver produce to Oxford County Food Pantries

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