8 years, 27 selections, $3,876 in donations
Since March 2016, the Dempsey Center has been selected to benefit from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs 27 times at 12 different Hannaford locations. In total, the organization has received $3,876 in donations to continue providing personalized and
comprehensive cancer care at no cost.
Tell us about the Dempsey Center.
The Dempsey Center was founded in 2008 by actor Patrick Dempsey. When his mom went through a long cancer battle, he and his sisters supported her through it all. Even though their mom received incredible medical care, they noticed that there was no support after they left the cancer center in the hospital. There was no support for their mom. There was no support for them.
A cancer diagnosis impacts a person in many ways. Patrick and his sisters knew there was much more to healing than receiving great medical care. They wanted to find a place where folks like her could receive support outside hospital walls.
A cancer diagnosis impacts a person in many ways.
They established the Dempsey Center to support people impacted by cancer and give back to the community Patrick grew up in. He wanted to bring the Dempsey Center to Lewiston to provide no-cost emotional, physical, familial, and social support. We originally started in a tiny room in Central Maine Medical Center. In 2012, we moved to our flagship location in Lewiston. In 2018, we merged with another cancer community center in South Portland and created a no-cost Hospitality Home for folks traveling for cancer treatment.
Since then, we have continued to grow, providing services in Lewiston, South Portland, and at our Hospitality Home in Portland. Now, we also provide virtual services that are accessible from anywhere in Maine, the country, and the world! Folks can access nutrition classes, support groups, counseling, movement and fitness classes, educational workshops, and anything else we can come up with to support people who have been impacted by cancer. You name it, we do it!
What services do you provide to the community?
At the Dempsey Center, we provide services to more than just cancer patients. Obviously, the patients need a lot of support, but we also recognize that many people can be impacted by one person’s diagnosis. We support care partners and any folks moving through the cancer journey with the patient, including youth, families, and loved ones. We provide services to survivors. People may not find us while they’re in the thick of their treatment, but they can still access our services once treatment has ended. We’re here to wrap around the whole community, helping anyone impacted by a diagnosis.
It is also important to know that the Dempsey Center doesn’t discriminate. We help with any cancer diagnosis and any cancer impact. Folks from all walks of life come to the Dempsey Center. We’re not here exclusively for people who have a low income or don’t have insurance. We’re here for anyone.
We’re here to wrap around the whole community, helping anyone impacted by a diagnosis.
No matter how you come to us, you belong here at the Dempsey Center. We don’t take any financial information. We don’t take insurance information. We don’t use any demographic information as a precursor to decide if you can access what we provide. Anyone who is part of the community and has been impacted by cancer can access what we offer.
No matter how you come to us, you belong at the Dempsey Center.
How has the Dempsey Center used the donations from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs to further its mission?
All the money from the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program and Bloomin’ 4 Good Program directly supports people impacted by cancer. For example, we use those funds to ensure we can provide nutrition classes. Our nutrition classes allow folks to learn about nutritional needs as they move through their cancer journey. Through one-on-one consultations and large group settings, our registered dietitian and nutritionist can support patients through changes in taste and nutrition needs. Programs like this, which allow us to offer services at no cost, are vitally important to our organization.
Tell us a story about a program, service, or initiative the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs have supported.
During the fall of 2023, we did a family-based nutrition class on sheet pan meals. It was such a great way to get kiddos involved in the cooking process and excited about working in the kitchen. This class taught kids how to use sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, spices, and herbs to make a nutritious meal for their family.
Families not only worked together in their family unit but also socialized with other people who had been impacted by cancer. When we bring these families together, it creates a comforting space. To some extent, everybody knows what everyone else is going through. There are no feelings of shame or embarrassment. It’s beautiful to be able to bring grown-ups and kids together in one place and allow people to connect. Not to mention, the outcome is a delicious meal!
Have you noticed any changes in community awareness or support since becoming involved in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
When we moved to South Portland, it was a big change. Our roots were, and still are, deep in the Lewiston community. When we moved to South Portland, it was almost like we were starting over. We needed to let people know we were here.
It was great to receive support from various organizations, including Hannaford, that helped get the word out. It is so simple, but having a sign saying the Community Bag Program directly supports people impacted by cancer at the Dempsey Center helps get people talking. We even had people use our contact form to say, “I learned about you at Hannaford. Tell me more about what you do.”
We’ve seen massive growth in our South Portland location from efforts such as this. As things started to reopen after the pandemic, we saw a massive influx of people finding us and learning about the Dempsey Center. Our South Portland location expanded so much that we are moving to the Rock Row Health Campus in Westbrook, tripling the size of our current location. The Hannaford Charitable Foundation is even sponsoring the kitchen at the new space! I can attribute this growth to all of the efforts people have made to spread the word about what we do.
What advice would you give to other nonprofits participating in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
Let people know what’s going on. Hannaford is also right down the road from us, and we know that a lot of folks shop there. We always tell our staff and clients. It’s important to recognize the ripple effect just one mention can have. With each person you tell, the news will spread even more!
The programs are so much more than just receiving the funds. This awareness in your local grocery store helps spread the word about your mission. If somebody sees the sign, it’s going to inspire them to start researching and learning more about your organization.
Interview with Katelynn Davis, Marketing and Communications Director