With the two volunteers who run the Jefferson Area Food Bank planning to step down in June, the food bank could close its doors for good if no one takes the place of Ellis and Donna Bond.
Ellis Bond attended the Jefferson Board of Selectmen’s Feb. 23 meeting to let them know he and Donna plan to step down June 30, but said even staying that long depends on their health.
“[I’m] just getting older,” Bond said. “At 82 you don’t do as well as you do at 28.”
The food bank, located in the basement of the First Baptist Church parsonage of Jefferson, serves Jefferson, Somerville, and North Nobleboro, but the majority of the users come from Somerville and very few come from North Nobleboro, according to Bond.
The Bonds have been volunteers at the food bank for years. They got involved when Ellis Bond’s cousin, Paul Bond, ran it and took over when Paul passed away about five years ago, Ellis Bond said.
With the Bonds’ coming departure, Ellis Bond is hoping someone will step up to run the food bank in another location.
Part of the issue is the church’s parsonage could go up for sale if the church elders vote to sell it, Bond said. The parsonage has become a liability to the church because ministers want to build equity in a home they own, he said.
The food and equipment in the food bank, and possibly some funds would be donated to the new operators, Bond said.
It costs about $1,000 each month for the one day the food bank is open for service, according to Bond.
The selectmen agreed to research options for the food bank’s future.
Town Clerk Lynne Barnikow said she wanted research other area food banks to see if Jefferson might be able to piggy-back on their operations.
“You guys really did a good job with the food bank,” Barnikow said to Bond.
“Oh yeah,” agreed Selectman Jigger Clark.
For more information or for anyone interested in assisting, call Ellis or Donna Bond at 549-5361.
