Jessica Stasinos and her husband, Michael, own the Modern Barn in Bethel. File photo

BETHEL — The Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry is celebrating a new partnership with the Modern Barn through a wine tasting event, to be held on Jan. 19. The event has an entry fee, with part of the proceeds going to the pantry and exchange. The Pantry has worked closely with local businesses in the past, in a variety of ways to raise funds. This marks the first time it will be pairing with the Modern Barn – an event that has been in the planning phase for about two years, and has finally come to fruition.
The Modern Barn has a special place as “the only restaurant in the area that has a certification from the Wine Spectator,” according to Dave Bean. Bean expressed enthusiasm for the event, saying that it was, “Kind of a cool opportunity to be part of something that’s really interesting.”
When it comes to fundraising, the Food Pantry does its best to work closely with local businesses and nonprofits. It has collaborated with several in the past, including having what Bean describes as “a really rich ongoing partnership with Sunday River,” in the form of a monthly grant for the backpack program, providing food to students in need.
Bean added, “We really support the Northern Forest center,” and “We’re working with Mahoosuc land trust to figure out how to partner with them.” When it comes to fundraising, Bean says, “It’s a matter of figuring out every way we possibly can to support local businesses and nonprofits.”
The Bethel Area District Exchange and food pantry covers the entirety of Oxford county, as well as parts of four other counties, giving it a large area of coverage within the state of Maine. Bean hopes to continue working with business owners in collaboration for both awareness and funds.
“The more that we can connect with nonprofits and businesses that can be mutually beneficial, the better off we are and the better off everyone is in our part of the state.”

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