SWEDEN — The Sweden Food Pantry summer fundraiser was a raffle for a side of beef. The winner was Claudia Blondell, who chose to donate her winnings back to the Food Pantry for distribution to its shoppers. The winner was announced as part of Sweden Days in August.

Claudia Blondell of Lovell is a member of the pantry’s board of directors and has been a very active volunteer for over 10 years. Not only does she donate her time and expertise, but Claudia also generously purchases raffle tickets and participates in other fundraisers run by the pantry.

The side of beef weighed in at 425 pounds. “Due to the generosity of sponsors who covered the cost of the prize, the pantry was able to raise $5775 from this fundraiser. This significant amount is especially helpful since donations have been decreasing over the years since the pandemic. We are so thankful to everyone who bought raffle tickets, and to our sponsors,” remarked Linda Bradley, President of the Board of Directors of the Sweden Food Pantry, and a longtime volunteer herself. “We depend on our volunteers and donors to keep the pantry open for the 45 families from throughout the region who shop here.”

The winner had the choice of any of the cuts of beef, but pantry shoppers prefer hamburger. They have been heard saying, “That was the best hamburger my family has ever had.” So, this fall, SFP shoppers will have delicious ground beef to add to their shopping carts.

This was the first time the SFP had held such a fundraiser. Raffle Tickets were $25/each. Many approached said that it was a lot of meat, but sellers responded that it could be shared with family and friends, neighbors, and/or a nonprofit that feeds the hungry or hosts free community suppers. The Sweden Food Pantry has worked with Smith Holmestead of Stow for several years. Their grass-fed beef is excellent.

The Sweden Food Pantry, located in the basement of the Sweden Community Church at 137 Bridgton Road (Route 93) near Sweden’s four corners, is open on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The pantry presently serves participants from the towns of Sweden, Lovell, Fryeburg, Stow, Stoneham, Waterford, Harrison, and Bridgton. The pantry does not, however, turn away any eligible family. For more information or to make a donation, check the website https://www.swedenfoodpantry.org/ or its Facebook Page. The Sweden Food Pantry phone number is (207) 647-5735.