News
Most individuals often view grocery shopping as a mundane task. However, Devyn Santora understands that for those facing difficulties in accessing food, the ability to select items from shelves makes a world of difference. This realization led Santora, at the age of 30, to transform the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program's Brunswick food pantry into a grocery store-like setting. With a meat counter, commercial glass-door refrigerators, grocery carts, and a produce section, guests can now freely shop around. This change was of great significance to Santora.
From Limited Choices to Open Spaces
Six years ago, when Santora started as the pantry manager, the staff would decide what went in the cart for each visitor, and guests could only come every two weeks. During the pandemic, when the pantry became a drive-thru, options became even more restricted. But Santora had a clear vision. "I knew that when we moved back inside eventually, I didn't want to return to the pre-COVID system. I wanted to open up the space to the people and make it a lower-barrier environment. People shouldn't have to ask for help; they should be able to take charge of their own nutrition," she said. This determination has made a significant impact on the pantry and its visitors.The Reach of the Food Pantry
Now, guests come from nine Maine counties to the pantry, and in September alone, it served more than 2,300 people. About 20% of the pantry's guests are new Mainers, including asylum seekers who began arriving in Brunswick about three years ago. Santora goes the extra mile by stocking foods important to their cultures, such as cornmeal, and translating all materials into Spanish, French, and Portuguese. She has even learned a bit of these languages herself. "It's been a challenge for me as I'm not naturally inclined towards languages. But it felt crucial to be able to greet people in their own languages and make them feel welcome in our space," she explained.Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
Heather Arvidson, the program's director, conducted a recent evaluation. When asked why the pantry was able to attract people from far away, the oversight group mentioned the hours, the quality of the products, but also emphasized Devyn Santora. "That just really made me feel so good about the type of person we have running our food pantry. When people are struggling, the atmosphere she has created makes a big difference," Arvidson said. Santora's efforts have not gone unnoticed, and her impact on the pantry and its visitors is truly remarkable.
