BANGOR – With gas and oil prices so high, those who struggle to feed their families may benefit from a local nonprofit food program for those whose income qualifies. Indeed, more than 15,000 people – including repeats and volunteers – showed up at Samaritan Inc.’s food sites last year, said program president Amy Cooper.

Samaritan Inc., has been helping eligible people meet their food needs for several years. The program was started in 1976 by a gentleman in Kenduskeag, and he ran it from his home, Cooper said.

George and Charlotte Lugdon of Kenduskeag took over the program and ran it out of their home starting in 1986. The Lugdons then turned it over to others when it became incorporated in 1993.

“They’re awesome people,” Cooper said. “[George] still comes out and helps us sort.”

“The program’s running great,” said board of directors head Bruce Trundy of Hampden. Trundy has been involved with Samaritan Inc. for eight years, starting as a helper.

“The helpers run this program just as much as I do,” he said. He, Cooper and other volunteers likened those involved in the organization with family.

Setup takes about half an hour at each site. But some volunteers come as early as two hours before a site opens to help out, said secretary Sally Ann Rancourt. Some of those volunteers have been with the program for several years.

“It’s amazing,” she said. Forty-nine people and three drivers currently help out at the various food sites.

The program recently added a fifth site to distribute food on Sundays – Bradford Commons community room on Husson Avenue. Thirty-two people came the first Sunday. By the fourth Sunday 62 people participated, volunteers said.

Cooper learned that a woman had told an employee at a local pharmacy that if Samaritan Inc. wasn’t at Bradford Commons, she wouldn’t be able to get her medications. Previously, she had been buying her medications in small amounts – only what was necessary.

Food provided at the sites includes fresh produce, bakery bread, deli products, macaroni, canned fruits and spaghetti, to name some.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” said Gerald Oleson, volunteer. One time, 40 boxes of frozen asparagus were donated – another time, 60 cases of bread stuffing.

A farmer in Holden is raising two pigs to provide pork, ham and bacon for the program. The pigs eat bruised or damaged items that are inappropriate to offer to families, so even food that might normally have to be thrown out is able to find its place in the cycle.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Oleson said.

The suggested donation for those eligible to participate is $2 per family, but the donation is not mandatory.

“If they don’t have the money, we still serve them,” Cooper said. Donations help with costs of running the program – to insure the delivery van and provide for its gas and any repairs, for corporate liability insurance, to pay rent at the snowmobile club and for food preparation gloves and office supplies.

The labor, however, is all volunteer. Food is donated by Hannaford food stores. Manna also donates from time to time, including contributing turkeys at Thanksgiving. Several businesses are in the process of becoming donors.

Applications to determine eligibility are available for people to complete at each food site. No appointments are necessary – just show up. Samaritan Inc. provides food at the following times and places:

. 10 a.m.-noon Mondays, Hermon Baptist Church, Route 2, Hermon village.

. 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Union Street Brick Church, Bangor.

. 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Glenburn Evangelical Covenant Church, Hudson Road.

. 10-11:30 a.m. Fridays, Hudson Snowmobile Club.

. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, Bradford Commons community room, Husson Avenue, Bangor.

The program provides food at the designated sites regardless of the weather. Tuesdays and Saturdays “are the days we’re out beating the bush for donations,” Cooper said.

Administrative volunteers for the program are: Amy Cooper of Bangor, president; Sally Ann Rancourt of Glenburn, secretary; Bruce Trundy of Hampden, head of the board of directors; and Robert Dechaine of Clifton, vice president; and a treasurer who asked that his name not be listed.

Samaritan Inc. is “in desperate need of a van,” Cooper said. The current van, a 1988 Dodge Ram, recently needed repairs exceeding $1,000. When it breaks down, volunteers have to look for vehicles – provided by other volunteers – to make sure the food gets to its designated site. The program would welcome and appreciate the donation of a newer van, volunteers said.

To donate to Samaritan Inc. or to obtain information, call Amy Cooper at 947-8037 and leave a message or call her cell phone at 356-1075.