Last September through Oct. 22, Mark Osborn and Buzz Makarewicz, the owners of Topside Inn in Boothbay Harbor, donated a lot of their time, food and hospitality to raise funds for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

Starting Sept. 1, the inn opened its doors to the public to come in and enjoy a gourmet breakfast alongside its guests.

It was a win-win situation for diners and food pantry alike. The diners, who paid $25 per person, were treated to Osborn’s delectable savories and Makarewicz’s sweet pastries; $3,500 was raised, with the proceeds going to the pantry.

It was such a success, the inn owners plan to do it again. This year, the benefit breakfast will be offered all summer and into the fall.

Last year’s breakfasts included a continental buffet with homemade breads, jams, whipped butters, granola, fruit, yogurt, cheeses, juices and locally roasted coffee and tea, with a composed “dish of the day” cooked to order.

Among those dishes were house-smoked salmon over lentil and roasted pear hash with poached eggs, sour cream pancakes with a wild blueberry compote, served with crispy bacon, and a large bowl of cheddar grits with homemade creole sauce made with lobster stock, sauteed shrimp and fresh-picked lobster, a sunny side up egg, chive oil, Spanish smoked paprika, a dollop of avocado cream and an orange nasturtium fresh from the garden.

Along with the fundraiser breakfasts, Osborn said they’re doing some additional work outside to add gardens, make it look nicer, and continue helping the pantry. He and Makarewicz came up with the idea of planting not just shrubs and flowers, but a fairly extensive fruit tree orchard and a larger vegetable garden.

“It’ll take two or three years before we actually have production from the orchard,” Osborn said. “But we plan to plant over 20 trees, beginning with eight to 10 Maine Heritage apple trees. “We’re really excited about those, because they’re trees that are from Maine, and go back to the early 1900s.”

In addition to the apple trees, there will be four different types each of pear and plum trees, and five different types of cherry trees. Two peach trees were planted last year, and three more will be added this year.

Osborn said they’ll use the fruit for their guests’ breakfasts, and the hope is there will be an ample enough harvest in the fall season to supply the pantry and other charitable organizations in the Boothbay area with some.

Osborn said clearing has been in the works on close to an acre, on the western slope that overlooks Sea Street. “Whatever was taken down will be replaced by another tree.”

Reservations will be required for the pantry benefit breakfasts that will be served daily between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

“In light of all the negativity going on in our country and even in our community we wanted to do something with a positive message,” Osborn said of last year’s fundraiser. “They say even the smallest things make a difference. Buzz and I have been thinking of ways we can make a difference.

“Sometimes just doing what you do is the best way to reach out to people and make a positive difference.”

Osborn said that in addition to the new orchard, they currently grow many herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, rhubarb and edible flowers, all used in the kitchen. “We’re slowly turning Topside into a farm. It’s lots of fun for us and our guests.”

Topside Inn at 60 McKown St. will open May 4. Call 633-5404 or email info@topsideinn.com