Franklin Savings Bank has announced $112,000 in donations to support 41 food pantries and 12 area school districts throughout Western, Central and Downeast Maine. The initiative reflects the Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening food security at a time when many organizations are seeing increased need during the winter months.
“Food pantries and schools are often the first stop for families facing hardship,” said Tim Thompson, President and CEO of Franklin Savings Bank. “These organizations work tirelessly to ensure no one goes without the essentials. Supporting them reflects who we are as a community bank – we show up for our neighbors.”
The idea for this initiative grew out of the experience and insight of Courtney Austin, AVP – Marketing Director. Through her work with the Bank’s Charitable Foundation, she has developed a clear understanding of the rising need for essential support across the region. A visit to the FaithWorks Food Pantry in Strong further sharpened that perspective and helped guide the Bank’s response.
“As I reviewed the requests coming into our Foundation, I saw a clear increase in asks for food, warm clothing and emergency assistance,” Austin said. “Visiting FaithWorks made those needs come alive. It wasn’t just the shelves or the services – it was the sense of community that was being built.”
Austin recalled how Father John Evans spoke about the network forming around the pantry: people volunteering their time, neighbors offering each other rides, individuals stopping in, not just for groceries,but for conversation, connection and recipe ideas.
“That’s what struck me most,” Austin added. “It isn’t only about distributing food. It’s about dignity, belonging and creating a place where people support one another in whatever way they can. Hearing that reinforced for me that we needed to step forward. If we can help lighten the load for organizations building this kind of community, then we should. It takes a village, and Franklin Savings Bank is proud to be part of that village.”
Board Member Matthew DuBois echoed this sentiment, speaking to the regional impact of the initiative. “By providing these funds to local food banks and school districts, we are helping ensure that those in need have access to the nourishment they deserve,” he said. “Together, we’re helping build a stronger, more resilient region where no one has to go hungry.”
These donations build upon the Bank’s long-standing commitment to food security, in addition to more than $25,000 already committed to food-related initiatives in 2025. Funding will support food pantries in Franklin, Oxford, Hancock, Somerset and Kennebec counties, as well as school districts working to provide weekend meals and emergency resources to students.
Donation Breakdown
41 Food Pantries – $82,000 Total
• Franklin County: $26,000 across 13 pantries
• Oxford County: $18,000 across nine pantries
• Hancock County: $14,000 across seven pantries
• Somerset County: $20,000 across 10 pantries
• Kennebec County: $4,000 across two pantries
12 School Districts – $30,000 Total; each receiving $2,500:
RSU 9, RSU 73, RSU 58, RSU 56, RSU 10, Ellsworth School Department, Stratton School, MSAD 59, MSAD 44, RSU 74, RSU/MSAD 54 and Rangeley Lakes Regional School District.
About Franklin Savings Bank
Founded in 1868, Franklin Savings Bank is a community-focused financial institution that serves Maine’s western, central, and Downeast regions from eight locations. With a reputation for strong customer service and deep community involvement, the Bank offers a wide range of products and services.
See below for the full list of receiving pantries:
• Care & Share Food Closet, Farmington, Franklin County
• Living Waters ATTN Food Pantry, Farmington, Franklin County
• St. Jospeph’s Nutrition Center, Farmington, Franklin County
• University of Maine at Farmington FBO The Thrifty Beaver, Farmington, Franklin County
• Clearwater Ministry Food Pantry, Industry, Franklin County
• Phillips Area Food Pantry, Phillips, Franklin County
• FaithWorks Community Outreach, Strong, Franklin County
• Wilton Area Food Pantry (United Methodist Church of Wilton), Wilton, Franklin County
• United Methodist Economic Ministry Food Bank, Salem Township, Franklin County
• Mallett Food Pantry, Farmington, Franklin County
• Mt. Abram Regional School District FBO School Food Pantry, Phillips, Franklin County
• Rangeley Family Medicine FBO Food Pantry, Rangeley, Franklin County
• Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry, Stratton, Franklin County
• Ecumenical Food Pantry at the Church of the Good Shepard, Rangeley, Franklin County
• Rangeley Lakes Regional School District FBO School Snack and Backpack Program, Rangeley, Franklin County
• Stratton School FBO Food Support, Stratton, Franklin County
• St. Rose Food Pantry, Jay, Franklin County
• Winthrop Food Pantry, Winthrop, Kennebec County
• Fayette Baptist Church Pantry, Fayette, Kennebec County
• Spruce Mountain Primary School FBO School Food Pantry, Livermore, Franklin County
• Bar Harbor Food Pantry, Bar Harbor, Hancock County
• Tree of Life Food Pantry, Blue Hill, Hancock County
• Bucksport Community Concerns Food Pantry, Bucksport, Hancock County
• Emmaus Center Food Pantry, Ellsworth, Hancock County
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Ellsworth, Hancock County
• H.O.M.E. INC FBO Food Pantry, Orland, Hancock County
• Common Good Soup Kitchen, Southwest Harbor, Hancock County
• EHS Food Pantry FBO EMS and EHS Food Programs, Ellsworth, Hancock County
• Andover Food Pantry, Andover, Oxford County
• Bethel Area District Exchange & Food Pantry, Bethel, Oxford County
• Canton Baptist Church Food Pantry, Canton, Oxford County
• Dixfield Congregational Church FBO Dixfield Food Pantry, Dixfield, Oxford County
• Old School Food Pantry, Mexico, Oxford County
• Oxford Seventh Day Adventist Pantry, Oxford, Oxford County
• East Sumner Congregational Church, Sumner, Oxford County
• Oxford Hills Food Pantry, Norway, Oxford County
• United Baptist Church of Peru FBO Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, Peru, Oxford County
• Western Foothills Regional School District FBO School Food Program, Dixfield, Oxford County
• Dirigo School District FBO School Food Pantry, Rumford, Oxford County
• Bethel Area School District FBO School Food Pantry, Bethel, Oxford County
• Canaan Community Food Cupboard, Canaan, Somerset County
• Madison People Who Care Food Cupboard, Madison, Somerset County
• Smithfield Food Pantry, Smithfield, Somerset County
• Solon Food Closet, Solon, Somerset County
• Starks Food Cupboard, Starks, Somerset County
• Jackman Food Cupboard, Jackman, Somerset County
• St. Peter Thrift Shop and Food Pantry, Bingham, Somerset County
• Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard, Skowhegan, Somerset County
• St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen, Skowhegan, Somerset County
• Center Point Community Church, Anson, Somerset County
• SCTC Food Pantry, Skowhegan, Somerset County
• Madison School District FBO Food Pantry, Madison, Somerset County
• Carrabec High School FBO School Food Pantry, North Anson, Somerset County
