📰BIDDEFORD | Community Comes Together for Biddeford Food Pantry "My catchphrase is "God always provides" and he really does. I just can't thank you enough…" -Don Bisson, President & Manager BFD
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
"My catchphrase is "God always provides" and he really does. I just can't thank you enough…" -Don Bisson, President & Manager Biddeford Food Pantry
January 6, 2025, A picture can say a thousand words…. Or seven thousand three hundred and fifty!
Well folks, we did it! You've not only helped us hit our goal, you've helped us smash it OUT OF THE PARK!
Today, Don Bisson, President & Manager of the Biddeford Food Pantry, was absolutely overjoyed as we presented him a check for the proceeds of the 2025 New Year's Dash!
Our initial goal was to raise $3,100, which according to Don, "would be a large, helpful donation and would help them start 2026 off strong." However, through a collaborative effort of 31 businesses, anonymous and individual donors, the Biddeford Community showed up and showed out MORE THAN DOUBLING OUR GOAL AND RAISING A GRAND TOTAL OF $7,350!
Upon receiving the check and seeing the total amount raised, Don’s eyes widened and he exclaimed, "No way...Wow, This is absolutely amazing!”... Thank you to everyone who contributed. This year has been really crazy, more so than previous years with all the things - so many people losing their jobs - a growing homeless encampment… this donation is a huge blessing and is really going to help us incredibly.”
Don went on to say, “I'm so grateful to all the businesses... This is an incredible gift including to all those who participated individually and collectively - My catchphrase is “God always provides” and he really does. I just can't thank you enough and please remember us next year.”
The Biddeford Food Pantry is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that provides food at no cost to the citizens of Biddeford and surrounding towns who cannot afford to purchase food for themselves and their families.
From us here at the Biddeford Buzz, We want to first thank all of our Donors of the Day who stepped up and were our backbone for this fundraiser. Without them we would not have such great news to share. To all of our anonymous and individual donors, you have made this truly surprising and special. As we conclude this years’ Dash, we want to give you a little history on the Pantry, Don, the work he and his team do, and what your donation means… OH! and one just one more time, A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of YOU!
Originally started by Rita Riley in 1981, the “Friends of Community Action Food Pantry” - the first food pantry in the state - evolved over the years to be the Biddeford Food Pantry (BFD) that is a staple of our community today. Now located at 162 Elm Street, the pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings with pick ups available from 9am to 11am. Items offered range from; breads, frozen meats, vegetables, juices, toiletries, pet food & more. The BFD aims to make sure individuals and families have access to all food groups, needs, and is very clear, everyone is welcomed; no one is turned away due to need or address.
Running a non-profit is no easy endeavor, but the pantry found just the man in the President and Manager, Donald Bisson. Don, as he is known to most, is a staple of the community and has been with the pantry for 20 years. Growing up in the Biddeford area, Don would get a degree in Culinary Arts before moving out of state in 1973. He would go on to lead a colorful life exploring New York City, Providence, RI. and even pursued an acting career at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After a career in telecommunications, Don moved back to Maine and began working at L.L Bean. While looking to find connection and community, Don happened upon the Biddeford Food Pantry and immediately began helping the staff bag items.
Following that first “shift”, Don felt he found his calling… and low and behold.. He was right!.. All these years later, he serves as the President of BFD and happily helps his community each day. Don has done a great deal for the pantry - Fighting to get tax-exempt status back with the IRS, fighting foreclosure and ultimately buying the building, COVID-19, and yet no matter the struggle he has been faced with, Don has continued his mission to bring our community together through kindness and giving.
Throughout the year of 2024, 552,000lbs of food was donated to the pantry. Every donation, whether monetary or goods, makes a difference - $15 a day feeds a family of four for a week. $60 for a month. $780 for a year. If you wish to help support Don and his team in their mission and cannot contribute financially, you can donate canned goods & nonperishable items, or if you are 17 or older, you can volunteer - To learn more about volunteer opportunities and other ways to help, please visit https://biddefordfoodpantry.org/
**The Biddeford Food Pantry is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that provides food at no cost to the citizens of Biddeford and surrounding towns who cannot afford to purchase food for themselves and their families.
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