ROCKPORT — Thanks to some innovative thinking and a philanthropic gift from a community member, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals have added food pantry shelves to their emergency department waiting rooms.

According to MaineHealth, in a news release, the “Help Yourself Shelves” are stocked with nutritious shelf-stable foods, including canned vegetables and canned fruit, dry rice and beans, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter and, when available, protein options like canned tuna.

The hospitals’ Community Health team stocks food pantry shelves like these in locations across Knox and Waldo counties as part of their ongoing effort to improve food security across the region. Each shelf is located in an area that is easy to access, and anyone is welcome to take items from them. The addition of the new Emergency Department shelves brings the total number available to 11.

“There has been a consistent interest in expanding into the Emergency Departments and this project started with a suggestion submitted through the Innovation Space at Pen Bay Hospital,” said Jemma Penberthy, director of Community Health Improvement for Pen Bay and Waldo hospitals.

The Innovation Space was designed to foster collaboration and problem-solving among care team members and the community. First envisioned by Barry Howe, MD, and Nir Harish, MD, the space came to life at Pen Bay Hospital in September 2024. It now serves as a welcoming hub where ideas are shared, and solutions are developed to benefit both the care team and the community.

What began as an idea shared by care team members in the Innovation Space was brought to life through thoughtful collaboration between Community Health and the Philanthropy teams, according to MaineHealth.

"By bringing together the right partners and a $5,000 philanthropic gift dedicated to addressing food insecurity, the concept was transformed into a tangible resource that now supports patients and the broader community," said the release.

“We are very grateful for this gift that allows us to build upon our effort that began in 2022 and we hope these help more people by being in a high-traffic area used by all,” said Penberthy.

Other shelf locations in Knox County include MaineHealth Behavioral Health Rockland, located at 12 Union Street in Rockland; the first and second floors of the Beebe Health Center, located on the MHPBH campus at 15 Anchor Drive in Rockport; the first floor of the MaineHealth Physicians Building, located at 4 Glen Clove Drive in Rockport; and at the Rockland Health Center, located inside the Rockland Plaza at 75 Maverick Street.

In Waldo County, the shelves can be found on the first floor of 125 Northport Ave. in Belfast, just outside the offices for CarePartners and MaineHealth Dental Care Clinic Belfast; at MaineHealth Primary & Walk-in Care at 119 Northport Ave. in Belfast; within the MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Cancer Care practice, on the ground floor of the Ludwig Medical Building, 116 Northport Ave., in Belfast; at MaineHealth Primary Care Family Medicine Lincolnville, located at 2399 Atlantic Highway in Lincolnville; and at MaineHealth Primary Care Family Medicine Liberty, located at 43 W Main St. in Liberty.

Shelf-stable food for the Knox County shelves is supplied by AIO Food & Energy Assistance, while the food for the Waldo County shelves is supplied by The Belfast Soup Kitchen and Kindness Market. In 2025, more than 62,000 pounds of food were distributed through the shelves across the two counties.

“We recognize that access to food can be a challenge for many, and we are committed to being part of the solution” said Abigail Lacasse, program manager in the hospitals’ Center for Health Improvement, Community Health department. “These shelves make it easier for anyone to access nutrient-dense food, ready-to-take at the moments they need it most.”

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.