Rob Boyd, the dedicated manager of the First County Food Pantry, has an inspiring story of resilience and community service. Once a client of a local shelter program, Boyd now oversees the operations of the pantry, ensuring that hundreds of individuals and families in York County have access to the food they need.

Boyd’s journey began when he sought help from a shelter program. After finding employment in the kitchen of the shelter, he eventually applied for the role of food pantry manager in September 2024 and was hired for the position. His personal experiences have shaped his approach to running the pantry and have deepened his connection to the community.

Simple Access for All

Under Boyd’s leadership, the First County Food Pantry underwent a significant transformation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry primarily relied on distributing pre-made food boxes. However, this system led to a considerable amount of food waste.

“People were receiving items they did not like, could not eat due to allergies, or simply never used,” Boyd explained. Recognizing this issue, the pantry shifted to a market-style system, allowing clients to select their own items.

"This approach gives people more choice and dignity—they can pick exactly what they want and need," he said.

Currently, the pantry serves between 130 and 150 individuals each day it is open, a notable increase from the 100 to 120 individuals served previously.

A Shift to Market-Style Operations

The pantry operates under a straightforward system designed to make food assistance accessible to as many people as possible. Clients are required to complete a government form to verify that their income falls within the eligibility guidelines. For a single individual, the income cap is $50,000 annually, with an additional allowance of approximately $1,500 per month for each additional household member.

“The form is very simple and only takes a few seconds to complete,” Boyd said. Beyond this requirement, the pantry does not ask for any further proof or documentation, ensuring that the process remains quick and inclusive.

A Community Effort

The success of the First County Food Pantry would not be possible without the support of local farms, volunteers, and donors. Boyd highlighted several key partners, including West Kennebunk Garden, Wolf Pine Farms, and Brothers for Christian Instruction, all of which regularly donate fresh produce. Additionally, the Ecology School contributes by teaching individuals how to grow their own food and donating surplus crops. Home gardeners also play a role by dropping off excess produce.

Boyd emphasized the critical role of volunteers in the pantry’s daily operations. “We have around 35 volunteers, with different individuals working each day of the week,” he said. Their dedication ensures that the pantry runs smoothly and that clients have a positive experience.

For individuals or organizations interested in supporting the pantry, donations of nonperishable food items are always welcome. Donations can be made during open hours, and a drop box is available outside the entrance for smaller contributions.

Making a Difference

Boyd expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in a role that he finds deeply fulfilling. “Not many people get to work a job they truly enjoy,” he said. “I have met so many people through this work, and it feels good to make a difference. You can tell how much people appreciate it, and that makes it all worthwhile.”

The First County Food Pantry is more than just a place to access food—it is a vital resource that fosters community and connection. With Boyd at the helm and the unwavering support of volunteers and donors, the pantry continues to meet the growing needs of York County residents.

"I'm from Maine, born and raised," says Candice Simeoni, a First County Foundation (FCF) Board Member. Her roots in York County are deep, and so is her calling to protect her community, as she is an Elder Crimes Investigator with 22 years of law enforcement experience.

"I saw so many vulnerabilities among older adults. It became my mission to protect them."

For years, Candice saw firsthand how a lack of local, specialized training hampered first responders' ability to serve. Officers "really had to fight to go to training," she recalls, facing long commutes and high costs that kept critical skills out of reach.

That is why the new First County Regional Training Center, supported by FCF, is more than just a building—it's a "huge blessing." It is a proverbial game-changer that builds confidence and brings state-of-the-art training right here to our community. For Candice, it means she can now equip every new officer in Maine with her vital elder justice curriculum, close to home.

The Training Center’s location next to the FCF-supported Recovery Center (opening late 2026) brings a renewed sense of hope. It "brings back that human touch," according to Candice, who says FCF bridges the gap between a crisis call and a real path to healing.

"It reminds our first responders why they serve and gives them the confidence that when they lead someone to help, the resources are finally there."

A Career of Compassion and Insight

Jen's three decades dedicated to serving underprivileged populations, primarily at the York County Shelter, gave her an unparalleled view of the interconnected struggles of poverty, homelessness, and addiction.

During her tenure, she designed and launched twelve licensed residential and outpatient programs for mental health and addiction. It was in this work that she witnessed the profound honor of walking with people through their darkest moments. "That someone could establish a relationship where they're bearing the deepest part of themselves... and manage to rise above that and make it," she says, “is a privilege.”

This experience also gave her a stark understanding of the systemic gaps in care within York County. For nearly 30 years, a critical piece of the puzzle was missing. "There was never a detox unit or beds available," Jen states. For residents in York County's remote and rural areas, facing poverty and a lack of transportation, a potential detox bed in another county was often inaccessible. "There are 50 barriers standing between you and that bed."

She saw the tragic cycle this created: people in crisis would turn to emergency services, land in the ER or jail, and then get lost again because there was no immediate, appropriate next step. "I've found very few unwilling people over 30+ years," she notes. "Most of them want better and are willing to work for that, but they don’t know how."

The Vision for a Continuum of Care

In 2021, when York County began directing ARPA and opioid settlement funds toward community solutions, Jen was asked a pivotal question by County Manager, Greg Zinser: What would a truly effective recovery center look like?

Drawing on decades of experience making do with inadequate facilities, she laid out a comprehensive blueprint. "I had often over the years listed out what it would be," she explains. Her vision wasn't just for a building, but for a true continuum of care under one roof.

Her detailed concept became the foundation for the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center, a cornerstone project of the First County Foundation (FCF). Jen envisioned a place where every barrier was systematically dismantled:

1. On-site Detox: Eight beds for immediate stabilization, including "observation beds" where law enforcement could bring someone in crisis at 2 a.m., providing a safe place to land and an assessment in the morning.

2. A Full Spectrum of Treatment: Seamless transitions from detox to 30-day, 6-month, or 9-month residential programs.

3. Comprehensive Support: Access to individual and group therapy, case management, medical professionals who can prescribe, and connections to stable housing.

4. A Space for Healing: Purpose-built rooms for yoga and meditation, a library of recovery resources, and single-occupancy rooms to provide the dignity and privacy essential for healing.

"If you want it, it’s here," Jen says of the model. "There is nothing like it. It gets rid of the transportation barrier, and it allows for choices."

Jen Ouellette's life and work are a testament to the power of deep local roots and unwavering compassion. Her expert vision, born from a lifetime of service, has been instrumental in creating a facility that promises not just to treat, but to heal. First County Foundation is a Maine-based, community-driven effort to build a healthier, safer future for all.

As York County's ambitious Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center nears completion, First County Foundation (FCF) is demonstrating how strategic philanthropy can bridge the gap between public funding and community impact.

While construction costs for the 52,000-square-foot facility are covered by federal ARPA funds, opioid settlements, and county reserves, FCF is filling critical gaps by securing private support for essential equipment, furnishings, and general operations. "One of the greatest needs right now is to outfit the buildings," said Rachel Stansfield, FCF Chief Advancement Officer.

FCF’s strategic approach has yielded results, with Partners Bank and Kennebunk Savings each contributing $150,000 specifically earmarked for the recovery center. “Public-private partnerships, like those we created with our community banks, are essential to the sustainability of not only the recovery center, but to York County as well. We are incredibly grateful to Partners and Kennebunk Savings for paving the way,” added Stansfield.

Expected to open this fall, the 58-bed recovery center will provide detox, short, medium, and long-term residential treatment for people with substance use disorders. In the interim, FCF will continue to pursue additional grants and partnerships with local and national foundations, corporations, and individual donors to ensure the center opens fully equipped and operational.

Founded in 2024, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County."