News You Can Use: Help with Heat & Groceries, Standing with Our Neighbors, Winter Programs, and more

News You Can Use from Project GRACE - January 2026

We're hoping everyone is keeping warm and cozy! Enjoying a real Maine winter with lots of snow!

Check out the community calendar for fun things to do, including walks with the Land Trust. Below are links and reminders of resources you or a neighbor can use. Please stop by our website or social media for more news and updates.

News You Can Use

We Welcome Everyone as Our Neighbors

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have rights and protections under our Constitution.

Project GRACE stands in solidarity with Maine's immigrant community, and everyone facing threats to their safety, dignity, and human rights.

ilapmaine.org/

maineimmigrantrights.org/

Pantries Feeding Neighbors

Have you heard? The South Portland Food Cupboard has a new home! Their new location is 445 Western Ave (near Staples, Jetport Plaza).

South Portland Food Cupboard

Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Thursdays: 8:30 am – 11:00 am, first Wednesday evening of each month 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

Scarborough Food Pantry

Tuesday & Thursday afternoons: 1:30-4:00

scarboroughfoodpantry

Maine food pantries are welcoming and ready to help anyone who needs groceries.

Good Food & Good Conversation

The Neighbors Table lunch is prepared and served by community volunteers on the third Wednesday of the month at 12:00 noon in the vestry of the First Congregational Church of Scarborough, 167 Black Point Road (directions).

Doors open at 11:45. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations in advance are appreciated. All are welcome. Free.

883-2342

Fun for All Ages

Check out the offerings from the Scarborough Library, too. They have books and more: content to download, stream or borrow as well as fun programs and special events. Thanks to the Friends of Scarborough Library, with your library card, you can borrow passes to museums and area attractions. >>More Info

Have you heard? Community Services guide to winter programs and activities is available! Book winter programs and save the date for fun events!

Winter is Here: Heating Help

Worried about heating your home? Project GRACE can help our Scarborough neighbors. The best way to reach our volunteers is by phone.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heat. Benefits include emergency fuel delivery and energy-related repairs. FMI, contact the Opportunity Alliance at 553-5900 or email energyassistance@opportunityalliance.org

Worried about your electric bill? Visit the Maine PUC site for info about LIAP, resources and tips.

883-5111

More Fuel Assistance Resources

Scarborough's CodeRED Alerts Keep Us Prepared.

One way to be prepared during winter storm season is to sign up for our Town's CodeRED computer alert system. It is used to quickly notify large groups of people for emergency situations like severe weather, road closures, evacuations, and more. It's free and secure: you choose how to receive alerts: text, phone call and/or email.

Keeping safe and warm , especially during dangerously cold arctic temperatures.

Save the Date: 14th Annual
Rally to Keep Our Neighbors Warm

The Scarborough community will Rally to Keep Our Neighbors Warm, raising money for fuel assistance. Join your neighbors at the Scarborough Public Library (10-Noon) on Saturday, February 7th. Community groups will be in attendance, there will be a book sale, bake sale, raffles, activities for kids, and more. Bread & Butter Catering will make their delicious haddock chowder, smoked brisket chili, and vegan winter squash soup to take home (please place your order ahead), and Hadacol Bouncers will return with their toe-tapping hybrid of New Orleans and Chicago style jazz!

All proceeds will help keep your neighbors warm. www.fuelrally.org fmi

Day Camp Registration Is Open

Check out Community Services' info on signing your kid up for Summer Day Camp.

Camp is open to any resident child entering Grades K through 6 in the fall and offers a safe environment where everyone can make new friends, explore and develop new skills, and simply have lots of fun! Art and gym activities, theme programming, field trips, and more will take place throughout the summer.

Did you know? Project GRACE has been providing camp scholarships for more than 20 years! >>why we want kids to go to camp.

Vacation Camp at the Library

Parents, do you prefer a vacation away or a staycation for February break? If you're around, our favorite library has you covered with free entertainment and learning Visit the library's calendar fmi.

Scholarships for Students

There are hundreds of college and secondary education scholarships for Maine students at the Maine Community Foundation. Last year more than $3.5 million from over 625 funds was awarded. Search listings by county, areas and type of study, and more.

The Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation is reinvigorating the trades with scholarships to students pursuing technical studies in the culinary arts, HVAC/plumbing, electrical,automotive, logging, and other industries. Applications for 2026 are open until April 15th.

Visit FAME for financial planning tools and information on affording higher education.

Have you heard?

MANAGED TABLETS GIVE EASY ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF FREE RESOURCES

There are thousands of free resources you can access with a tablet, including ebooks (Libby and Cloud Library), audiobooks (Cloud Library), digital magazines (Flipster), streaming videos (Kanopy), digital comics/graphic novels (LibraryPass), and online video lessons (Udemy).You can ask the library for help setting up a managed tablet. FMI, www.scarboroughlibrary.org

TAX HELP FOR SENIORS

No need to stress tax time! AARP Tax-aide trained volunteers will be available at the Scarborough Public Library by appointment. Call 207-518-8579 to register for FREE help. For more, including where to get forms, visit: scarboroughlibrary.org.

Visit the town website for info on the tax relief programs available through the Town.

NEW BEGINNINGS THRIFT SHOP

Blue Point Church's thrift shop (236 Pine Point Road) is open Thursdays and every 1st & 4th Saturday. >>FMI on FaceBook

KNOX BOXES AVAILABLE

Scarborough Fire Department's Knox Box program securely holds a key to your house that can be opened by Scarborough EMS in an emergency. FMI contact SFD's administrative office.

"FRUGAL FRIDAYS" WITH TCFCU

Feeling frugal? Looking for ways to save money? Get great tips from Town & Country's Kate Kaden every Friday, including ideas for saving money during the holidays. Having a plan can help you stay on budget. Click the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9TLpWpuxa8

MONEY MINDERS WITH SMAA

Could you use help minding your checkbook? Southern Maine Agency on Aging's Money Minders program matches trained volunteers with adults 60+ to organize financial resources, sort bills, make payments, keep checkbooks balanced, and avoid late payments or overdraft fees.

SAND FOR SENIORS

Free sand delivery is available to Scarborough senior citizens during the winter months. FMI contact SPD's administrative office.

WABANAKI-MAINE HERITAGE PROGRAM

Interested in Maine's Wabanaki history? It doesn't get any better than this: the Library is hosting this Wabanaki REACH program in partnership with Scarborough Community Services and Scarborough Land Trust, and with a grant from National Recreation and Park Association.