Staff Writer

What was supposed to be a “weekend warriors” project took on a life of its own and transformed the Saco Food Pantry into a building to serve the community for generations, organizers said Saturday as they celebrated the renovation.

Organizers from the pantry and Open Hands Open Heart clothing distribution program hosted an open house to show off the building’s addition and thank donors who made it possible by giving nearly $250,000 in cash and in-kind donations. The yearlong project to expand and improve the building on Ocean Park Road was spearheaded by Leo Menard of Saco Bay Rotary Club.

Menard said he came up with the idea to help the programs after visiting a trailer next to the pantry that housed the clothing program established by Elaine Fournier. As a joke, a friend signed Menard up to receive samples of formula and diapers, which he dropped off at the pantry.

“When I walked into the trailer there were clothes floor to ceiling. It was unbelievable,” he said. “I said ‘what you need is a real building.’”

Menard said he discussed the idea with the Saco Bay and Biddeford Saco Rotary clubs, which donated a combined $10,000. Lowe’s gave a $25,000 grant and Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution donated $10,000, he said.

Local businesses were quick to step in and donate services from trucking to paving to landscaping, Menard said. In-kind donations totaled $150,000.

“It was everyone coming out of the woodwork to help us,” he said. “People kept coming along. It was one person after another. You know it’s a good community when you don’t even have to ask for help.”

Menard said he still needs to raise $20,000 to pay for a large freezer for the pantry. The freezer, expected to be installed soon, was purchased using the pantry’s line of credit.

Bob Nichols, director of the food pantry, was moved to tears as he thanked everyone who donated to the project. He said he is anxious for the pantry’s new freezer to be installed soon.

Fournier, who opened her program last year, joked she would have “Leo withdrawals” after working with him nearly every day of the past year. She said the 28-foot by 42-foot addition allows the program more storage and display space. For the past year, volunteers have stored bins of clothing in their homes.

In the Open Hands Open Heart section of the building, racks of clothing and shoes are organized by size. The walls are painted a rosy pink and people now have room to move around to pick out clothes. The program provides gently used clothes to infants through teenagers in the area.

Fournier said she will always remember the way the community rallied to make the project happen.

“I’m glad I have the opportunity to be a part of this,” she said.

Mayor Ron Michaud said the project wouldn’t have been successful without the dedication of so many people.

“This is a gift to our community for years to come,” he said. “It’s these types of things that make this a great community.”

Carl Goodwin of Carl Goodwin Inc. of Biddeford donated labor and materials to build and re-roof the building. His crew of as many as seven workers at a time included his son, Adam Goodwin.

“It’s for a good cause for a lot of people who cannot afford things we take for granted these days. It’s a good community effort and more of this should be done,” he said.

Jim Godbout of Godbout Plumbing and Heating provide a propane tank, gas piping, other equipment and assistance with installation. He also will  install the freezer once the parts arrive at the pantry. Godbout said he looks for opportunities to give back to the community and has been involved with Habitat for Humanity and other similar programs.

“When we can give, we give,” he said. “I love giving back to the community.”

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Open Hands Open Heart Volunteer Rita Lachance watched visitors walk through the building.

“It’s just wonderful. We never dreamt it would be so much,” she said. “It was a dream, now it’s a reality.”

Donations to the Saco Food Pantry or Open Hands Open Heart can be made by mailing checks to P.O. Box 246, Saco ME 04072. To make a donation or for more information, call 468-1305.