BAR HARBOR, Maine — The MDI Rotary Mini Golf Challenge brought the community together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and generosity, raising $5,000 to support MDI Health’s Help Yourself Shelves and Food Pantries located at their Health Centers.
In addition to the funds raised, attendees donated 81 pounds of nonperishable food at the event. According to data from Feeding America, that amount of food is enough to help provide approximately 67 meals for individuals facing food insecurity.
MDI Health has long partnered with the Good Shepherd Food Bank to help make food available to patients in need at its health centers. What began as a traditional food pantry program, requiring patients to request assistance through their provider or self-identify as food insecure, evolved into the Help Yourself Shelf model after staff recognized that asking for help could be a barrier in itself. By allowing patients and families to discreetly access food without referrals or paperwork, the program has significantly expanded its reach over the last couple of years. In fiscal year 2025, more than 7,699 pounds of food were distributed through the Help Yourself Shelves because of this change.
Thanks to the MDI Rotary Club and the Mini Golf Challenge, MDI Health can ensure that these shelves remain stocked year-round with a variety of shelf stable food, fresh produce, baby and toddler food, and personal hygiene products.
“We are incredibly grateful to the MDI Rotary Club, our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who came out to participate,” said Chrissi Maguire, President and CEO of MDI Health. “We believe that nutrition is foundational to healthcare, and access to food is essential to overall health and well-being. The generosity shown through this event will help MDI Health continue providing food and key supports to our neighbors who need it most.”
The event featured sponsored mini golf holes, community participation, and prize giveaways donated by local businesses and organizations.
MDI Health extends its sincere appreciation to the event’s hole sponsors:
Acadia Cornerstone Realty, Acadia Law Group, Acadia Shops, A Little Mad, Ardette Spear (BHSL), Ardis Ono, Atlantic Fleet, Atlantic Oceanside (Witham Family), Bar Harbor Bank, Bar Harbor Catering Co., Bar Harbor Masonic Lodge #185, Bar Harbor Savings & Loan, Bay Ferries, Board Veritas – Lisa Ann Thompson Taylor, Chrissi Maguire – MDI Hospital, Colonel’s Deli, Coston & McIsaac, Coston, McIsaac & Shea Financial Advisors, Cross Insurance MDI, Debby & Scott Hammond, Dog & Pony Tavern, Edward Jones, First National Wealth Management, Friends of Acadia, Galyn’s, Jane Adams – Church of Our Father, Jim Mroch, Lynam Insurance and Real Estate, MDI Marathon (Run MDI, Inc.), Paradis Ace Hardware, R.L. White & Son, Saltair Inn, Swan Agency Real Estate, Steven Boucher, Realtor, The Trowbridge Lab, and Window Panes.
Special thanks also go to the businesses and organizations that generously donated prizes, including Portland Sea Dogs, Udder Heaven, Rosalie’s Pizza, The Nor’Easter, Harbor Table, Bar Harbor Rotary, MDI YMCA, Side Street Café, and Acadia Perk.
Finally, thank you to Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf in Bar Harbor for hosting the event each year.
For more information about MDI Health’s Food Insecurity Program or to support the Help Yourself Shelves, contact patricia.thurlow@mdihospital.org.
A full photo album from the event can be found on MDI Health’s Facebook Page.
