For more information about how to participate, please contact Tracy Shaffer at 973-287-9926 / ttlshaffer@aol.com.

On Friday, September 15, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry will host its second annual Fill The Grand food and funds drive to benefit the pantry’s clients. This “second act” was inspired by the success of last year’s fundraiser and will take place during The Grand’s 85th anniversary.

“The pantry is asking the community to fill every seat in the historic Grand theater with bags of food and funds to support our mission: ending food insecurity in Hancock County,” says Tracy Shaffer, Loaves & Fishes Board Co-President.

Individuals can sponsor a bag for $25, which will fill one seat in the theater, online at loavesandfishesellsworth.org/donate anytime, including the day of the event; financial donations and nonperishable food can be dropped off at The Grand (165 Main Street in Ellsworth) on Friday, September 15, between 11 AM and 7 PM. The public can watch as the seats fill up and can also support the theater by purchasing concession food and beverage.

Loaves & Fishes hopes the event will raise $10,000, which will let them purchase and distribute more food to more families. “Since moving to our new facility last October, the number of families we serve has increased significantly – and keeping the shelves filled and the doors open now costs us $1,200 a day,” adds Shaffer. “But thanks to the generosity of the local community, we know we can prevail.”

Local businesses and individuals can support the event by becoming an event sponsor, or by holding a food drive to benefit the pantry.

Loaves & Fishes thanks its media partner, Star 97.7 and The Grand, our host organization.

About Loaves & Fishes

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry feeds and serves neighbors in need from their community campus at 137 Downeast Highway (Route 1 - North) in Ellsworth. The pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives funds and in-kind donations from individual donors, businesses, municipalities, foundations and community fundraising events. Loaves & Fishes seeks to end food insecurity in Hancock County, and treats everyone with respect, so families leave the pantry with dignity and hope as well as groceries.

Fill the Grand Food and Funds Drive

The Grand and Loaves & Fishes partner to Fill the Grand with food and funds to benefit the families they serve. The community is asked to help fill every seat in the historic Main Street theater with funds and bags of food to help serve more people, more often. Filling a seat costs $25:

You can make financial donations any time here or drop off food and funds on the day of the event

There are auctions and there's a Broad Harbor auction. Join "Junior" and the residents of the fictional community of Broad Harbor as they raise money for their beloved Grand Theater, an icon of Main Street and a neon beacon for ocean-going vessels and land-bound RVs that have strayed off of Route 1.

 The 2019 auction was a great success in both fundraising and fun. This year features over 200 items and counting, including a Nature Cruise, granite garden sculptures, jewelry, a Whale Watch, and oodles of gift certificates. Load up the car or at least take home a pie from the silent dessert auction.

Admission is only $10 and includes entertainment by the cast of Downeast Shakes & Shenanigans.

The auction preview begins at 4:00 pm with the Live Auction starting at 5:00 pm. There will be a cash bar and full concessions offered including fresh movie theater popcorn.

To benefit the Allen Fitch Fund - scholarships for young people to attend workshops and theater camps at The Grand.

20+ Artisans & Crafters, Baked Goods, Chinese Auction. Get an early start on your Christmas shopping!

Ellsworth Elks Lodge

An evening of down east humor and Junior’s very lively auction.

Presented by The Trenton Flats Irregulars

A host of priceless goods, services, and home made desserts; donated by dozens of generous businesses and individuals in the Ellsworth area, and beyond!

$10 General Admission.

Much thanks to the Bert and I folks!

Much thanks to Leicester Bay Theatricals!

In recognition of National Foster Care Month, Becky Beal from A Family for ME and Jen Johnson from Community Health & Counseling Services will be hosting a free screening of Paper Tigers courtesy of The Grand in Ellsworth, Maine. James Redford’s 2015 unflinching documentary follows the lives of 6 teenagers for one year of alternative education as they develop the connections and support needed to better understand and manage the impact of traumatic childhood experiences.  This documentary contains strong adult language, some violence and is not recommended for young children.  Following the screening, members of the recruitment team will share information about foster care and adoption in the state of Maine, including a digital presentation of some of Maine’s children currently awaiting adoption.