A program of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville
 
The Evening Sandwich Program (ESP) provides food for the hungry in the greater Waterville area.  Monday through Friday, ESP provides take-out meals consisting of sandwiches, hot soup, fruit, and dessert.
 
Teams of volunteers from area churches and the community prepare, package, and serve the food to customers between 4-5 p.m. each evening of ESP.
 
The ESP serves an average of 100 meals each evening it is open.
 
For more information, or to volunteer, contact Maili Bailey at 474-7370.
 
How the ESP came to be
 
In October of 1990, a group of people from the Universalist-Unitarian Church of Waterville came together to talk about how to help the hungry.  It was brought to this group’s attention that the one feeding program in the city was not quite meeting the needs of the area’s hungry, and some people were seen foraging for food in dumpsters at night.
 
The UU group explored ideas that would be feasible for the Church and came up with the “take-out” evening meal program.
 
Sources of food and supplies were established with the help of local businesses and individuals already enrolled in a food pantry program, Colby College students, and the generosity of community members, credit unions, and other organizations interested in ending hunger.
 
The first night, ESP volunteers served 13 meals.  Today, the wholly volunteer staff averages 100 meals an evening.  Three other churches, as well as community members and college students, help the UU church prepare and distribute food.  But the needs continue to increase.
 
ESP and the UU Church of Waterville are meeting the immediate need fairly well.  But what does the future hold?  How do we address the increasing need?  How do we reverse the upward trend of families needing help to survive?  How can we encourage a move away from dependence on soup kitchens and take-out programs?
 
How do we end hunger in Maine?
 
We have no answer to this question.  Yet.
 
Who we are, and what we do
 
The Evening Sandwich Program (ESP) for the hungry operates four evenings each week.  Each person who comes at serving time (4:00-5:00 p.m.) receives a sandwich and soup to take out.  Some people pick up dinner for their families or friends who also need a meal.
 
ESP is a community-wide, interdenominational effort.  On Tuesdays, the UU Church, and volunteers from Colby College and the community, make up the serving crew.  On Wednesdays, the 1st Congregational Church furnishes the volunteers, with St. Mark’s Church staffing Thursdays.  Friday evenings, ESP is staffed by volunteers from the UU Church and the general public.
 
This daily sharing of duties by area churches and volunteers has kept ESP running smoothly and efficiently for many years.  And it has built a strong sense of community.
 
New faces show up at ESP every day, and we will be here to help.  For as long as we need to be.
 
How can you help?
 
·     By volunteering your time and energy
 
·     By donating the following soup and sandwich items as often as you can:
 
Pasta
Baked beans
Tuna
Potatoes
Fresh vegetables
Sandwich spreads
Jams and jellies
 
Evening Sandwich Program
Universalist-Unitarian Church
69 Silver Street (on the Point)
Waterville, ME 04901
 
Maili Bailey, 474-7370