LISBON — The town intends to work with the Lisbon Area Christian Organization Food Pantry to find a new location so the MTM Community Center has more space for its after-school and summer day camp programs, according to a Tuesday news release by Town Manager Glenn Michalowski. 

Several people took to Facebook last week to express concern about a claim that the food pantry was being evicted.

“The town deeply values the 18-year collaboration with the LACO Food Pantry, recognizing its critical role in addressing food insecurity among residents of Lisbon, Bowdoin, Durham, and the broader regional community through their federal support programs,” the release states.

One Facebook post last week stated that the food pantry was going to be evicted by June 1, but the town’s news release states that the food pantry was given that date tentatively in a Jan. 10 letter to the food pantry to comply with notice requirements for tenants at will, but it is not a fixed deadline.

“Our goal is to work together closely with LACO until a suitable new location is identified,” the release states. “Moving forward, we are committed to collaborating with LACO and town staff to facilitate a seamless transition.”

Attendance in the town’s after-school and summer day camp programs, both housed at MTM, has grown to record-breaking numbers this year, according to the letter. There are more than 100 children enrolled in the town’s after-school program and about 75 are attending daily.

The program has had to borrow space from other groups that operate out of the MTM, according to the letter. Given its growth, the town needs more room and greater security measures to accommodate those children’s programs.

Lisbon Police Department recommends that the town provide the same security measures for the children as a public school because of the high number of kids in attendance, the letter states.

“This means no one outside the program having access to the space, restrooms or exterior doors, including staff and volunteers of LACO or others looking to use the building during program times,” the letter states.

Town officials met with LACO board of directors Monday to discuss how they can both collaborate to support the pantry in finding a new home, the release states.

The issue will be discussed at a future Town Council meeting. According to Michalowski, town staff will meet with the food pantry board of directors again after Easter, which is March 31 this year.

“The Town of Lisbon remains committed to supporting the LACO Food Pantry and ensuring that the services they provide can continue without interruption,” the release states.

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