News You Can Use from Project GRACE - Fall 2022

It's Warm Now, Getting Colder Soon: Are You Ready?

We've been enjoying these mild fall days, the return of Maine-made apple cider, and the crunch of leaves underfoot.


If the high prices of energy have you worried about your heating bills this winter, you're not alone. Stop by the library for our free workshop on Saturday, November 19th for tips, demos, and freebies to help keep your home warm.

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

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The holidays are all about caring and sharing, and we and the Scarborough Food Pantry are grateful for the Scarborough Kiwanis Club's annual gift of turkeys to the pantry.


This month we are hosting a food drive to collect the 'fixings' to go with the turkeys: cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and al the rest. If you'd like to help, please drop off curbside at the Scarborough Food Pantry on Thursday, November 10th 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (167 Blackpoint Road).


Or look for the convenient donation box at the library this month. Thank you!

883.5111

More Help for Kids

This coming school year, all Maine schoolchildren will still get free meals at school, but families are encouraged to sign up for the "Free & Reduced" program. Enrolling in the program helps school districts get federal funding, opens the door for school fee waivers and eligibility for other benefits like EBT cards for groceries and the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit program.

FMI email [email protected] or call Brenda at 730-4700.

Free Covid Tests by Mail

Maine's Department of Health and Human Services is expanding access to COVID-19 tests.

Mainers can now order a free pack of five COVID tests every month at AccessCovidTests.org. Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah says it's important that residents have tests on hand to help prevent the spread of Covid.

Listen to Dr. Shah on Maine Calling (taped 9/26/22) for an update on the pandemic and an informative Q&A on boosters, flu, and 'winterizing your body".

Winter is Coming: Apply Now for Heating Help

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP or LiHEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery and energy-related repairs. Households (renters, too) are encouraged to apply now for the coming season. The application process can take several weeks to more than a month to complete.

To schedule an appointment, call the Opportunity Alliance at (207) 553-5900 or email [email protected]

More Fuel Assistance Resources

Vote! It's Your Voice!

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. In person voting will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Scarborough High School in Alumni Gym (11 Municipal Drive).

For more info about voting on Nov. 8th or by absentee, visit the Town's website. For info about Maine's ranked choice voting, check out the State's FAQ Guide. Need to register to vote or update your info on file with the Town, call the clerk's office at 730-4020.

Project GRACE supports library's expansion.

Have you heard?

SENIOR MEALS TO-GO

Scarborough Community Services and Southern Maine Agency on Aging are offering a meal to-go program for residents 60 years or older. Three ready to heat and serve freezer meals are available for a suggested donation of $10 per meal. For more info or to sign up, call Community Services at (207) 730-4173 or visit www.scarboroughmaine.org/departments/community-services or https://www.smaaa.org

RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE

Scarborough's 7th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner is returning as an in-person event at Wentworth. Chef Peter Esposito and his talented team are ready to serve a traditional roast turkey dinner with all the sides (and pie!) on Thanksgiving Day. RSVP by Nov. 16th.

"FRUGAL FRIDAYS" WITH TCFCU

Feeling Frugal? Get great ideas from Town & Country's Kate Kaden every Friday, including tips on preparing your budget for the fall season. Go over all the expenses that come up during the months of October, November and December and adjust your budget to be ready for things like heating fuel, holidays, gift giving and other expenses you can anticipate. Having a plan will help you stay on budget this fall. Click on the link below to all of Kate’s fall budgeting ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9TLpWpuxa8


CLOTHES CLOSETS

Keeping yourself and your kids in good warm clothes is easier with a trip to a clothes closet. Area resources include:

  • Clothes Closet, South Portland Church of the Nazarene, 525 Highland Avenue, South Portland spcnazarene.com
  • Children's Closet, First Congregational Church, 301 Cottage Road, South Portland 799-3361
  • Coats for Kids, Salvation Army, 297 Cumberland Avenue, Portland (774-4172)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OF OUR NOV. 19th "SNUG IT UP" WORKSHOP!

Quick Links to Scarborough Resources
TOWN OF SCARBOROUGH

SCARBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY

SCARBOROUGH SCHOOLS

We're Neighbors Helping Neighbors

883-5111

[email protected]

www.projectgracemaine.org

The best way to reach us is to call 883-5111 and leave a message. A volunteer will return your call within a few days (we're mostly working remotely but we check messages regularly).