NORWAY — Paris community member and folk artist, Linda Richardson, recently presented Stephens Memorial Hospital Food Pantry with a gift of $1,200 to benefit the MaineHealth Food Pantry at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

Recognizing holidays can be especially tough for many families in our community, Linda Richardson wanted to make a difference. With leftover barnboard pieces from her husband Jeff’s projects, she created winter tree ‘folk art’ mantel décor, and Hunger Trees Feed Local Families fundraiser was created in 2022.

This year, however, she formed her ‘2023 Hunger Trees’ from a newly found source of cardboard cones. Linda reached out to the Paris Hill Community who were eager to support her last year and sold her Hunger Trees with all the proceeds benefitting the Food Pantry at SMH. Linda set a goal of $500 and within two weeks, far exceeded her expectations.

In Maine, one out of every five children and one out of every ten people do not have reliable access to affordable, healthy food. The Food Pantry at Stephens offers a welcoming and confidential space, providing a variety of free, fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods that support health and well-being in our community.

With the support of Linda, the food pantry has been able to expand their offerings to provide hygiene products to those in need. The food pantry is made possible through a partnership with MaineHealth and the Good Shepherd Food Bank.