For nearly 40 years, the Bridgton Food Pantry has served as a critical resource for families throughout the Bridgton area, helping thousands of local residents access food, household essentials, and additional support services during difficult times.
Now, with the help of PATCO Construction, the pantry is entering a new chapter with the construction of a 
permanent new facility designed to better serve the growing needs of the community.
The new building, located on Main Street in Bridgton, will replace the pantry’s temporary setup of three construction trailers — a space that staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to operate despite severe space limitations, harsh winter conditions, and increasing demand.
Serving approximately 200–250 families each week, the Bridgton Food Pantry supports a wide range of community members, including seniors on fixed incomes, working families struggling with rising costs, veterans, and individuals facing unexpected hardships.
For many guests, the pantry represents more than just food assistance. It offers dignity, stability, and a sense of community during some of life’s most difficult moments.
What This Project Represents
This project represents far more than a new building. For the Bridgton Food Pantry, it represents permanence, stability, and the ability to better serve the community for years to come.
Since its founding in 1987, the pantry has continuously adapted to meet growing needs, first operating out of a church basement before eventually transitioning into temporary trailers after the church property changed ownership. While volunteers made the best of the space, the limitations became increasingly difficult.
Guests often waited outside in harsh Maine weather, storage capacity was limited, and the pantry frequently lacked the refrigeration and shelving needed to fully meet demand. In some cases, food supplies would run low later in the day because there simply wasn’t enough space to properly store larger donations.
The new facility changes that completely.
With expanded storage, dedicated cooling space for fresh food, welcoming indoor waiting areas, and a significantly larger shopping layout, the pantry will be able to operate more efficiently while creating a far more comfortable experience for both guests and volunteers.
“This place is going to be extraordinary,” Reed Holden, member of the board of directors, shared. “For the first time, the pantry is going to have a home it owns.”
A Space Designed Around Dignity and Community
One of the most unique aspects of the Bridgton Food Pantry is its “Level Five” operating model — a setup designed to resemble a traditional grocery store experience.
Rather than receiving pre-packed boxes, guests shop throughout the pantry and select the food items that best fit their household’s needs. The approach not only improves efficiency but also helps restore a sense of independence and dignity for families navigating difficult circumstances.
Operating this model within cramped trailers and basement spaces presented ongoing challenges. The new facility will dramatically improve that experience by creating open, welcoming spaces where guests can move comfortably throughout the building, access expanded offerings, and connect with volunteers and community resources in a more supportive environment.
The facility will also include indoor and outdoor gathering areas intended to foster a greater sense of connection among guests and volunteers alike.
A Collaborative Partnership with PATCO Construction
After years of fundraising, planning, and searching for the right contractor, the Bridgton Food Pantry officially signed with PATCO Construction in April 2025.
According to pantry leadership, the partnership immediately brought a sense of confidence and momentum to the project.
“When we checked PATCO’s references and asked our board if we trusted them, the answer came back unanimously yes,” Mr. Holden shared. “Once that decision was made, everything became easy.”
Throughout the process, PATCO worked closely with pantry leadership to address challenges, maintain communication, and keep the project moving forward smoothly. In less than seven months, the vision for a permanent home became a reality.
The pantry described the experience as collaborative, responsive, and highly professional — praise that reflects PATCO’s commitment to delivering projects that serve both clients and the broader community.
PATCO Perspective
For PATCO Construction, projects like the Bridgton Food Pantry go far beyond construction alone. They represent an opportunity to help strengthen the communities where people live and work every day.
Greg Patterson, co-owner of PATCO Construction, shared that one of the most meaningful aspects of the project was the strong partnership built with the Bridgton Food Pantry team throughout the process.
“They were awesome to work with,” Patterson said. “They were quick to respond, listened to our suggestions, and truly became part of the process alongside us.”
PATCO also appreciated the opportunity to contribute to a project that will have a direct impact on local families for years to come. In addition to helping construct the new facility, the company donated trees removed during site work to the Bridgton Wood Bank, helping extend the project’s community impact even further.
“Projects like this feel good to be part of,” Patterson shared. “Knowing the building will directly support people in the community makes the work even more rewarding.”
Why This Project Matters
The impact of this new facility extends well beyond the walls of the building itself.
The Bridgton Food Pantry currently serves thousands of individuals annually across the greater Bridgton area, with demand continuing to rise in recent years. Rising food costs, housing instability, and economic pressures have made food insecurity an increasing reality for many local families — including many who never expected to need assistance.
One pantry representative recalled a veteran arriving for help in tears, saying he “never thought it would come to this.” Others include working parents, retirees, and individuals rebuilding their lives after personal hardship.
The new facility ensures the pantry can continue meeting those needs with compassion, efficiency, and dignity while also creating opportunities for expanded services, partnerships, and community programs in the future.
Looking Ahead
The new Bridgton Food Pantry facility is expected to open in June, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the organization and the community it serves.
For volunteers, board members, guests, and supporters, the building represents years of determination, fundraising, and community collaboration finally coming to life.
“Our board, volunteers, and guests are deeply appreciative of what PATCO did for us,” pantry leadership shared.
As PATCO Construction continues building projects throughout Maine, partnerships like this demonstrate the lasting impact thoughtful construction can have — not only on buildings, but on the people and communities they serve.
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