This is just some of the many volunteers of the new Portland Food Bank. Left to right, Wes Pierini, Nunzi Maio, Ruth Maio, Connie Massella, Marge Lojeski and Pete Zaborowski.

Food Bank Volunteers

In June of 2001 the old food bank publically announced that it was closing due to lack of funding.
      This presented the town with a serious problem. The food bank had helped needy families for many years, and provided food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most other resources were located outside of town. This was one that people could walk to.
      Enter Ruth Maio with the perfect solution!
      Ruth worked as a school nurse in Portland for many years, and then as a visiting nurse for the Portland Visiting Nurse Association. She was well known for always demonstrating the very best of community spirit. She retired from the PVNA a couple years earlier and her absense was sorely felt.

Volunteers displaying 67 dozen homemade cookies donated by Marge Bainesfor Thanksgiving.

When she heard about the food bank closing, she approached then First Selectman Ed Kalinowski wth a proposal: forming a volunteer group that would take over the program as a non-profit organization.
      Kalinowski offered the basement of the Senior Center for a location.
      Ruth had plenty of experience coordinating volunteers, and soon attracted other former PVNAemployees helping out, including Jean Zaborowski, Lynne (Kennedy) Jacques, and Christina Bianca.

      Barbara Shepherd, who started the East Hampton Food Bank met with Ruth to explain how their organization started.

View of shelving built by Patrick Tierny.

The Salvation Army of Hartford offered funds to help purchase shelving supplies and tables.
      Barbara Oulette, manager of Portland's Liberty Bank, agreed to act as treasurer.
      Patrick Tierny, a local Boy Scout, chose to build the shelving.
      Mary Pont, Director of Portland Youth Services, brought young people to clear out the Senior Center basement.
      A number of people showed up to transfer supplies to the new site.

      The reopening of the Portland Food Bank was completely successful, and truly illustrated the energy and determination of community spirit.

The Moving Crew. Volunteers who transported supplies from the old food bank to the new. From left to right: Lynne Jacques, Jean Zaborowski, Christina Bianco, Ed Kalinowski, Nunzi Maio, Ruth Maio holding her grand-daughter, Kim Franklin holding her other daughter, and Maureen Duffy. Dean Jacques also helped out, but served as the photographer. There were others as well, such as Connie Massella, who were too shy to pose.

The Portland Food Bank is located in the basement of the Senior Center on 7 Waverly Avenue. It is open on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to noon. Phone number is 342.6795.

If you need help, wish to volunteer or make a donation, please call or come.

(Please Note: This article has not mentioned the names of everyone who was and is involved.