After two decades of dedicated service to the Gorham community, Fran Doucette is retiring from her position as Executive Director of the Gorham Food Pantry (GFP). Doucette has led the GFP since its inception in 1997 when it began operating out of a 79-square foot storage closet at St. Anne’s Church. She shared her #1 rule – to place no judgment on people and serve everyone with dignity and respect – and she has been following that mission for 20 years.

With a degree in education from USM and 10 years as a special education teacher under her belt, Doucette was pleased when the role of director was offered as it was the “perfect opportunity to make a change,” she said.

Prior to 1997, each Gorham church housed its own “emergency” food pantry. The problem, according to Doucette, was that some pantries were used too often and ran out of food while others were not utilized enough and food spoiled. The decision was made to centralize the volunteer efforts of member churches.

The Pantry eventually outgrew its space, and after a grant and a capital campaign raised enough funds, the GFP moved to its current home in a former town-owned portable building that was moved to the parking lot of St. Anne’s Church and renovated in 2009.

When asked how the Pantry has changed over her 20 years, Doucette shared that clients are more desperate in their lack of food. Years ago, the food may have been supplemental, but now she believes that clients depend upon it to survive.

Doucette will miss the people most when she retires on April 27. Her favorite part of her job is “the joy of seeing someone get on their feet and not needing the Pantry anymore because their life has taken a turn for the better.” In particular, she will miss coworker David Therriault as she “depended on him for so much at the Pantry.”

Doucette is most proud of the fact that the Pantry has lasted for 20 years through the support of the town of Gorham. “Churches, residents, businesses and schools have all been huge contributors to the cause and have cooperated to keep the Pantry running,” said Doucette.

She plans to move to Exeter, NH with her husband, Paul, so they can be closer to her daughter and her granddaughter.