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A season-long project to call attention to the significance of The County’s agricultural industry and signature crop, as well as to combat food insecurity in the region, highlight the artistic talent of Aroostook residents, and celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Aroostook County’s most comprehensive provider of social services will culminate this Friday with the old-fashioned hand harvesting of a potato field in St. John Plantation.

Community members are invited to bring their baskets, buckets and other items to help hand harvest the ACAP 50^th Anniversary Potato Plot on land owned by the G. B. and D. Pelletier Farms on Route 161 in St. John Plantation. Children enrolled in Aroostook County Action Program’s (ACAP) Fort Kent Head Start Program, their families, students from SAD 27, and ACAP staff will be on hand to join in the work and fun. 

Once picked, the potatoes will be placed in specially designed ACAP 50^th Anniversary five-pound potato bags. The unique artistic design on the bag was created by Fort Kent Artist Gert Thibodeau who was the winner of a County-wide art design contest held earlier this summer as part of the overall project. The bags will be distributed County-wide to area food pantries and community cupboards by members of the Versant Power team.

The initiative is a collaborative of ACAP, G. B. and D. Pelletier Farms of Fort Kent and Northeast Packaging Company (NEPCO) in Presque Isle/Caribou. The Pelletier Family, who owns and farms the land the designated potato plot sits on, is donating the field of the Dark Red Norland potatoes grown in it this summer. 

For their part, NEPCO donated the production run of the specially designed ACAP 50^th Anniversary five pound bags that will hold the potatoes that will be given to volunteer-supported County food pantries, and stocked in community cupboards region-wide this fall.

The potato hand picking event is part of the kickoff for the Fort Kent Coming Home and UMFK Homecoming celebrations this weekend.

To preview the upcoming event, ACAP CEO Jason Parent is joined on this week's ACAP Today by Sherry Locke, ACAP Director of Advancement; Lucy Morin, ACAP Dental Hygienist; and George Pelletier and Anne Desjardins of G.B.D. Pelletier Farms. They discuss the 50th Anniversary Potato Plot and the upcoming hand harvesting event.

To view the episode, click on the image below.

ACAP TEAM MEMBERS ATTEND NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE - THREE OFFICIALLY EARN THEIR CERTIFIED COMMUNITY ACTION PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL AT CEREMONY IN NEW YORK

2022 Annual Community Action Partnership Convention attendees from ACAP left to right: Jason Parent, Heidi Rackliffe, Sue Powers, Megan Barnes, Sherry Locke, Jamie Chandler, Wanda Osgood, Alyssa Levesque.

New Certified Community Action Professionals from left to right: Heidi Rackliffe, Director of Programs; Jason Parent, Executive Director/CEO; Sherry Locke, Director of Advancement.  

ACAP Team Members attended the 2022 Annual Community Action Partnership Convention in New York City last week. The Annual Convention is designed to provide Community Action Agency professionals and board members the latest policy and programmatic updates as well as management and governance tools. Special emphasis was placed on effective strategies for transforming communities and changing the lives of Community Action customers. The convention also highlighted newly certified Community Action Professionals. Three ACAP Team Members received their Certified Community Action Professional designation: Heidi Rackliffe, Director of Programs; Jason Parent, Executive Director/CEO; and Sherry Locke, Director of Advancement. They join fellow ACAP CCAPs Jamie Chandler, Sue Powers and Amy Murchison.

The Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) program positions the Community Action Network to serve the best interests of people experiencing poverty. The program transmits the vision and values of the Community Action movement from one generation to the next; guides individuals towards effective leadership within Community Action; solidifies Community Action as a true calling; recognizes and elevates the professional status of those that earn the CCAP credential; and embodies the Promise of Community Action.

APPLY ONLINE FOR FREE AND REDUCED SCHOOL MEALS

School meals are free for all Maine students, but it’s still important to fill out an application as it helps your school access important state and federal funding. Also, eligible students can receive extra money for groceries when schools are closed due to Covid through Pandemic EBT. Apply using the button below, and if your school district is not listed, please contact them directly to apply. Fill out a school meal application.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WIC FORMULA BENEFITS

Attention WIC families! All WIC participants will need to switch back to WIC approved formula by December 31, 2022. If you have questions or concerns, call us at 207-768-3026.

Interested in enrolling in WIC? To see if you're eligible, complete the pre-screening tool here: https://wic.fns.usda.gov/wps/pages/preScreenTool.xhtml

THREE NEW SMOKE FREE POLICIES ESTABLISHED IN AROOSTOOK COUNTY

Bob’s Service Center

in Fort Fairfield

Babin’s Grocery Store in St. Agatha

Ashland Qwik Stop in Ashland

Three local business have updated their Smoke Free Policies. Businesses were assisted every step of the way through the policy process by ACAP Community Educators. Once a policy is signed into place, business are provided with Smoke Free signage, free of charge. If your business or organization would like more information about adopting a smoke free policy, contact ACAP at 207-764-3721 or prevention@acap-me.org.

AROOSTOOK COMMUNITY MATTERS

PROPERTY TAX STABILIZATION PROGRAM

2022 EDITION OF GOUGHAN’S FARM CORN MAZE CELEBRATES

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AROOSTOOK COUNTY ACTION PROGRAM 

Aroostook County Action Program’s 50th anniversary logo, and a handful of images that represent the work of the agency to “make life better” in northern Maine have been captured in a six acre corn maze created by the Goughan’s Farm Family of Caribou.

The unique design was unveiled at a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the maze entrance co-hosted by the Goughan Family and Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce. The honor of revealing the design and cutting the ribbon went to children attending ACAP’s Early Care and Education Programs at nearby facilities.

“Our family is honored to partner with ACAP in helping celebrate their 50 years of making life better. Our corn maze designs have always been based on both entertainment and education. We are so pleased with this year’s design, as well as the games/challenges those who visit the maze will have the opportunity to enjoy. In our effort to provide entertainment for the entire family, this year’s maze will certainly help educate our community on the great impact ACAP has, and can have, in the lives of individuals and families across The County,” said Kelli Michaud, Kristi Goughan, and Katie Shannon – also known as the Farmer’s Daughters of Goughan’s Farm. Read More...

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE THE COMMUNITY CLOSET

The outdoor Community Closet is located in front of the ACAP Customer Service Center at 771 Main Street in Presque Isle. It provides community members 24-hour 7 days-per week access to gently used clothing. Back to school and the approaching cooler weather increases the need for clothing in our community.  Volunteers are needed to help keep the clothing racks full and organized. For more information, contact Kim Guerrette Michaud at kguerrettemichaud@acap-me.org or 764-3721 ext. 246.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE EXPOSED TO COVID-19

Recommended actions based on current level:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask on public transportation.
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.

COVID-19 Vaccinations are now available for all ages over 6 months. If you need help scheduling an appointment, or want to know if a site near you is offering vaccinations without an appointment, call the Maine COVID-19 Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111 or visit https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.

Visit the Maine COVID-19 Response page for full listings of Testing Sites, Vaccination Sites and Treatment Sites.

BE PREPARED FOR WHEN YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO TEST

Free COVID tests are available through Project Access COVID Tests (ACT). As of August 1, 2022, households in Maine that have already ordered two test kits through Project Act are eligible to reorder one additional free kit of five rapid tests. Order you test kits here: https://www.accesscovidtests.org/

Free test kits are available to order through COVIDtest.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Individuals are now able to order three rounds of COVID-19 Test kits for free.

The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund is a free, federal relief program for homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on their mortgage, housing, property tax or utility payments and are at risk of foreclosure. The program, which can provide up to $25,000 per eligible household, is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for assistance if:

• You own and occupy a 1 to 4-unit dwelling in Maine.
• You experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship after January 21, 2020 (a financial hardship is a material reduction of income or material increase in expenses).
• ·Your household is below certain income limits. These limits vary by household size and location. Click here to view Income Limits.

Requirements

• Homeowner must have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
• Total annual household income must be equal to or less than 100 percent of area median income or 100 percent of the U.S. median income, whichever is greater.
• Property must be occupied as the primary residence.
• Property must be located in the state of Maine.
• Eligible structures include: single-family homes, townhouses, condos, 2- to 4-unit home where owner occupies at least one unit, and manufactured or mobile homes.
• Homeowner agrees to provide all necessary documentation to meet program guidelines established by the Maine HAF.

For more information or to apply visit: https://maine.gov/HomeAssist.  For households needing assistance with completing the on-line application, Aroostook County Action Program (207-764-3721) is prepared to answer questions and assist with the process

The ACAP WIC Farmer’s Markets are located at the 771 Main St. ACAP Office in Presque Isle. The Farmer's Markets are open to the general public as well as being available for WIC families who participate in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. If you are a WIC participant and have questions about eFMNP or you want to learn more about enrolling in WIC, call 207-768-3026 or visit maine.gov/wic.

UPCOMING ACAP WIC FARMER'S MARKET DATES:

Thursday, September 8

Wednesday, September 14

MAINE'S WORKFORCE COLLABORATIVE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN THE ACAP TEAM

ACAP has a dedicated team who work to help keep people warm, safe, and dry in their homes with a variety of programs that offer education or assistance in areas of heating and energy efficiency,  home purchase, repair, and assistance for people facing foreclosure or eviction. We assist job seekers with going back to school or developing skills and help people overcome common barriers that might stand in their way in areas such as transportation and childcare. ACAP is helping to build a stronger, healthier community by collaborating with local and statewide organizations to offer prevention services that focus on nutrition, oral health, substance use, tobacco, obesity and youth engagement.

Join the ACAP team and help to make life better in Aroostook County!

THROWBACK SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK...

Nancy Cronkite, an ACAP Administrative Assistant for Special Services

was captured hard at work in this photo taken in 1983.

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