Four Years In: Grateful, Proud, and Just Getting Started

This week marks my four-year anniversary with the Piscataquis Regional Food Center, and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting.

When I think back to where we were then and where we are now, the word that keeps coming to mind is transformation. Not just growth, though there’s been plenty of that, but a deep, meaningful evolution in how we serve our community, how we think about food access, and how we show up for one another.

What we’ve built together is something truly special.

We’ve expanded programs, strengthened partnerships, and found new ways to reach neighbors across one of the most rural regions in Maine. We’ve gotten more creative, more responsive, and more committed to not just meeting immediate needs, but building a future where everyone has reliable access to fresh, healthy food.

And yes, we’ve become a force in Central Maine along the way.

But none of that happens because of one person, or even one team. It happens because of a community.

To our staff: your dedication, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond—every single day—are what make this place work. You bring heart, humor, and grit into everything you do, and I am constantly inspired by you.

To our volunteers: you are the backbone of this organization. The time, energy, and care you give so freely ripple out in ways that are impossible to fully measure. You make this work possible.

To our donors and supporters: your belief in what we’re doing fuels everything. You are not just funding programs, you are investing in dignity, health, and hope for our neighbors.

And to our community: thank you for trusting us, partnering with us, and growing alongside us. Four years in, I feel incredibly grateful, not just for what we’ve accomplished, but for who we are becoming.

We’re not done. Not even close.

But if the last four years are any indication, the future is going to be bold, compassionate, and, very much, a force for good.

With deep gratitude,

Kelly