Community Resources

Open Table MDI is proud to operate in a community that prides itself on neighborly caring, especially during times of challenge.
2-1-1 Maine, Inc. – Help is just a phone call away. 2-1-1 Maine is an easy-to-use tool that connects you with more than 5,800 health and human service resources. From counseling to childcare, and from elder care to emergency preparedness, 2-1-1 Maine has you covered.
2-1-1 Offers Help in Two Simple Ways:
Dialing 2-1-1 by phone: You can dial 2-1-1 to access a caring call specialist who can direct you to needed services or visit 2-1-1 Maine online.
Downeast Community Partners – Downeast Community Partners’ mission is to improve the quality of life and reduce the impact of poverty in Downeast communities. They bring community resources together to help people in Washington and Hancock counties, providing services including business assistance, financial services, transportation, house & home (heating & utility assistance, repairs, etc.) and assistance to veterans and the elderly.
Bar Harbor Food Pantry – The Bar Harbor Food Pantry is open to all of Hancock County’s year-round residents. The pantry includes the following sections: bakery; produce; meat, dairy and eggs; bulk grains, beans, nuts and snacks; household; canned and boxed goods.
Bar Harbor Backpack Program – In collaboration with other area congregations and community agencies, the Bar Harbor Congregational Church provides weekend nutrition to students in area schools who might otherwise go hungry. For more information, families should contact the school nurse.
Westside Food Pantry – The mission of the Westside Food Pantry is to address food insecurity among the residents of the west side of Mount Desert Island.  The Pantry seeks to be responsive to the seasonal economic reality of the west side of MDI, providing assistance during the winter months when income from summer employment is eliminated or reduced. The pantry also currently funds the expenses of providing weekend food backpacks to Pemetic and Tremont School children who are identified in need by school nurses and principals. This is a year-round program organized by Harbor House, Pemetic and Tremont Schools, and volunteers.
Share the Harvest – Share the Harvest, in association with Beech Hill Farm and College of the Atlantic, acts as a liaison between low-income residents, summer workers, and local food, ensuring access to the space, knowledge, and resources that it takes to sustain an equitable food system. Working closely with island food pantries and other organizations dedicated to eradicating food insecurity, this program distributes farmstand vouchers, subsidized farm shares, and Harvest Deliveries to community members in need.
OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPERS
Everybody Eats
Mondays from 1:30-3:00pm
Parish hall of St. Dunstan’s Church
134 State Street
Ellsworth, Maine
Welcome Table
Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00 pm
First Congregational Church
2 Church Street
Ellsworth, Maine
Common Good Soup Kitchen
Mondays from 11:00am – 1:00pm (November – April)
19 Clark Point Road
Southwest Harbor, Maine
MDI & Ellsworth Housing Authorities – The Ellsworth and MDI Housing Authorities provide housing assistance and related services to individuals and families who face income or other life challenges. They provide the opportunity for them to become self-sufficient and economically independent. They believe everyone deserves a good home.
Island Housing Trust – Island Housing Trust promotes viable, year-round island communities by advancing permanent workforce housing on Mount Desert Island, Maine. As an organization, IHT creates affordable housing opportunities for applicants who meet our eligibility criteria.
Emmaus Shelter – Provides a safe and comfortable environment for homeless men, women and families in need of temporary shelter who are willing to work towards ending their homelessness.
H.O.M.E. – Dedicated to keeping and enhancing the quality of life for low-income and homeless families. HOME operates six shelters throughout Hancock County. The shelter and learning center staff work closely together with those staying in the shelters to help them get what they need to become independent.
Families First – FFCC is a medium-term housing program that will help residents with everything that they will need to live an independent, stable and fulfilling life.
Hancock County Habitat for Humanity – Habitat for Humanity provides an opportunity for those in the community who qualify, to buy their own home, selling the home to the selected partner(s) at no profit to the organization under affordably financed mortgages. Eligibility for Habitat for Humanity is based on: Need, Willingness to Partner, and the Ability to Pay (monthly mortgage payment + closing costs).
Town of Bar Harbor General Assistance – Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
Town of Mount Desert General Assistance – Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
Cranberry Isles General Assistance – Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
MDI Community Campfire Coalition Fuel Assistance – The mission is simple; to provide heating assistance to families in need on Mount Desert Island, Swan’s Island and the Cranberry Isles.
Southwest Harbor General Assistance – Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
Emergency Financial Assistance Program, Maine Seacoast Mission – Emergency financial assistance provided for critical needs; assistance available as funds allow.
Downest Community Partners – An emergency crisis intervention program is available through Downeast Community Partners. Emergency heating assistance of kerosene, oil, propane, wood, or wood pellets for emergency situations available on a 1 time benefit within a program year.
Acadia Family Center – Outpatient counseling services for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, chemical dependency and related mental health issues; traditional and alternative treatment; assessment; art therapy; DEEP services; prevention and education services include parent and community education programs, school-based education programs, and resource library.
MDI Behavioral Health Center – Comprehensive mental health services include child and adolescent counseling, individual, couple, family and group counseling, depression/mood disorder counseling, domestic abuse counseling; crisis management, psychiatric evaluation and medication management; mental health assessment and referral; school outreach.
Downeast Horizons – Individualized program provided by a Direct Support Professional to increase or maintain ability to engage in social and community relationships and to develop skills that support health and well-being; focus on community inclusion, personal development, and daily living skills if necessary.
Island Connections – Transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, errands, and social visits; rides provided by volunteer drivers; handicapped accessible van.
MDI Adult and Community Education – High school completion options, HiSET (formerly GED) classes and testing, college preparation, workforce training, English language acquisition, basic literacy, enrichment classes.
Safe Harbor Through MDI Hospital – Alzheimer’s disease assisted living facility.
The Parish House – 6 unit residential assisted living home provides 24 hour direct support staff and person centered plans to assist with activities of daily living, peer interactions, community integration, and skill building.
Pine Tree Legal – Non-criminal legal assistance with housing, welfare benefits, DHHS, domestic violence, tax problems with IRS, foreclosure/predatory lending, Medicaid and access to health care, special education, consumer problems, property tax abatement for low-income homeowners, job training, and ASPIRE/Parents as Scholars; accept referrals for Maine Attorneys Saving Homes foreclosure assistance.