Mama Mia Dinners

Altrusa International Inc. of Sanford/Springvale (front row from left:  Claire Creteau, Stephanie Wilkins, and Kathy Fernberg.  Back row from left:  Lynne Richard, Judy Doiron, and Nancy Des Roberts. 

Long-time volunteers John Sylvester and

Joan Sylvester

Rod and Joyce Wood and Family

Wanda Parent and Marlene Parent.

Volunteers from South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport include from left:  Eva Barnfather, Scott Negley, Joe Rolland, Louise Negley, Whit Coffin, Patti Berger, Susan Walters, Bri Worthington.

Goodwin Mills Methodist Church

From Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union from left;  Judy Morin, Connie Littlefield, Judith Gardner.

From left:  Cassie Labbe, Alyssa Swenson, Brianne Dolloff, and Joan Sylvester

John Sylvester arranged for new and refurbished picnic tables for Mama Mia’s.  He also collects the money each Friday for the dinners.

Front from left:  Joan Nass, Doris Bracken, Chuck Bracken.  Middle from left:  Ruth Vennell, Megan Sharpe, Ellen Sharpe, Mary Erickson, Richard Nass.  Back row:  Chip Vennell.

    The York County Shelter Programs has announced that their twenty-two year tradition of hosting their Mama Mia dinners  is coming to an end with the last public supper scheduled for Friday, May 28, 2010.  As an agency which strives to be fiscally accountable, the Shelter concluded, after serious consideration and regret, that the Friday night dinners were no longer profitable. With the dramatic increase in food and energy costs and the amount of staff hours set aside for preparation of the dinners, it became apparent  that continuing the Mama Mia dinners would  not be a wise financial decision.  The new focus for the volunteer groups who have generously donated their time over the years to help on Friday nights will be centered around assisting with food preparation for the expansion of specialty items for the Bakery at Notre Dame and Shaker Hill Kitchens, the new bakery and cafe in Saco. The Bakery is also planning to offer a line of baked items for mail order such as their homemade croutons and granola.

    The Bakery at Notre Dame in Alfred will continue to remain open on Friday nights until 7 p.m.  There will be items for sale such as homemade baked beans, dinners to go,  homemade rolls, plus some new “surprises”. York County Shelter Programs thanks all the members of the community for their understanding about the fiscal necessity of terminating the dinners and re-directing energy to more profitable endeavors.  The Shelter expresses its gratitude to all who have volunteered and attended the Mama Mia dinners over the years.  It is hoped that the community will continue to support the Shelter's work of ending homelessness and hunger by patronizing both the Bakery at Notre Dame in Alfred and Shaker Hill Kitchens in Saco, and continuing to volunteer for this new fund raising venture.