No doubt about it: the pandemic has turned things upside down. But our communities are resilient, and programs working to alleviate hunger and improve access to healthy food are adapting to change and getting the food to the people. The "Food for Thought & Action" convenors hope that you and yours are well, and will continue to be in good health. Here's an update on some of what's happening and how you can help end hunger in our community.
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Food for Thought & Action |
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Free School Lunch for Students |
Children in Maine and around the country can now get free breakfast and lunch through June 2021. The USDA's announcement earlier this month means schools can use the Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option to serve meals outside of the typically required group settings and meal times. Under the waiver, parents and guardians are allowed to pick up meals for their children, even if the student is learning remotely. To sign up visit Scarborough school nutrition or scarboroughschools.nutrislice.com. |
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5th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner (To-Go) |
This year's holiday season will be different, for sure. While we can't be gathering indoors at Wentworth as we have in past holidays, we can still have dinner together. We'll just have to stretch a bit to pass the cranberry sauce, see our smiles through our masks. Please join us for a traditional roast turkey dinner (to-go, with all the fixings). RSVP by Friday, November 20th for curbside pick-up on Wednesday the 25th. >>Leader Article
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The Scaborough Food Pantry has the turkeys (thank you, Scarborough Kiwanis and Ron Forest & Sons Fencing!), but the pantry needs our help gathering the traditional fixings and sides. Project GRACE is hosting a food drive for the pantry: let them know what you can bring on November 5th or 10th (3:30-5:30), 167 Black Point Road. Or, make a monetary donation to help us buy what we need. Give a little, give a lot, it all adds up to helping our neighbors! Thank you! |
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Cards Replace Fight Hunger Boxes |
This year, in place of the traditional Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger boxes with staple foods like pasta and peanut butter, stores will be collecting cash donations in the form of $5 and $10 gift cards that will go directly to area food pantries. Look for the donation towers in-store to help your neighbors this holiday season.
Our local Scarborough Hannaford store has pledged their holiday community donations to the Scarborough Food Pantry. (Last season about 1,000 boxes were donated to the pantry by Scarborough Hannaford customers).
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Helping Hands Make it Work |
The federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program, also known as the Senior Food Box Program, distributes food boxes of staple items to seniors with low income. Boxes for our area come first to Wayside Foods in Portland and then distributed by area food pantries and community nutrition programs, including the South Portland Food Cupboard and Scarborough Food Pantry.
Packing the boxes, transporting the boxes, stacking the boxes, and delivering the food: many hands make this project work! Plus there are the helpers who make the calls, copy the forms and work behind the scenes. For all we are grateful! |
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HEALTHY MEALS FOR SENIORS |
Community Services and Southern Maine Agency on Aging are teaming up to offer meals to-go for seniors. For more info or sign up, call Community Services at 730-4173. |
SMAA also has a variety of programs to help seniors stay fit and healthy. One is the " Simply Delivered for ME" program. Meals are nutritionally balanced providing 33% of caloric requirements and available in special diets including: comfort food, heart healthy, low sodium, diabetic friendly, renal friendly, pureed, gluten free, and vegetarian. |
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NEW HOURS AT THE FOOD PANTRIES |
The Scarborough Food Pantry and South Portland Food Cupboard are open and are operating safely with curbside service. Both have recently made changes to their hours, too. The Scarborough Food Pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (1:30-4:00 p.m.) and the South Portland Food Cupboard is open Thursday mornings (8:30-11:00 a.m.) and also now Tuesday mornings (10:30-Noon).
Did you know you can 'adopt' a family at the South Portland Food Cupboard? >>How it works
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Families currently participating in the School Nutrition 'backpack' program continue to receive weekly supplemental groceries and to-go meals. The program is supported by community donations ($15,000 raised so far). For more info, contact School Nutrition at 730-4700 or email |
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Have you got ideas for how we can feed more people? Got any news to share? We'd love to hear from you! |
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Quick Links to Convenors & Resources |
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Food for Thought & Action is a collaborative initiative to share information,
inspire action, and work together to end hunger in our community.
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