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May 2018 Newsletter
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HOORAY FOR spring!


This spring, we worked on updating our count of the students and family members who access our fresh produce tables and dry goods pantries each month. For several weeks, we took a head count at regular produce distributions and gathered numbers from the school staff who help students access the pantries. We were shocked to see by how much we've been underestimating the number of students and family members the Locker Project is serving. We counted 1,189 students who took food home from school or ate nourishing meals through our program at the Center for Grieving Children's Intercultural Peer Support Program. Since it is likely that food taken home was shared with at least one sibling and one adult, this means that the food our donors help to provide is reaching more than 3,000 food-insecure people across Greater Portland each month. We have also been measuring the food we are distributing, and the number there is equally astonishing. We thank all of you who help us gather and distribute more than 13,000 lbs of food every month!

We've come across a couple of articles you might find interesting. Have a look:
  • How school breakfast programs are helping to battle food insecurity in San Antonio, Texas: via MySanAntonio.com
  • A thoughtful piece from the editors of the Portland Press Herald proposing the use of state and federal programs to fight food insecurity in Maine: via The Portland Press Herald
VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
Carol and David Bruneau are members of the Thornton Heights Lions Club of South Portland and are regular volunteers at the monthly fresh produce distribution at South Portland High School. Carol and David beautifully display the produce, meats, and breads donated by Hannaford, Shaw’s, and Standard Baking Company. They invite students who pass by during the three lunch periods to fill up shopping bags with whatever they want to take home. They engage the students and talk about how to cook particular vegetables, encouraging them to try a recipe and report back the next month. 

Carol is a retired homemaker, food purchaser, home maintenance supervisor; and very active great-grandmother. David is retired from the insurance industry and has been active in Lions for 44 years, currently helping to lead the Maine Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.

David shared this highlight: “A teacher approached us at the high school while we were volunteering for the Locker Project and accepted some donated food items. She explained that she would take the items back to her desk and leave them in plain sight to reduce the stigma of accepting food or assistance. Since that day, we have suggested to other faculty members they follow her path, and now several others are doing the same thing.”

In December, when the Bruneaus were away and Locker Project staff filled in at the produce table, the students at South Portland High were disappointed they didn't get to share their cooking reports with them!

Interested in volunteering? Contact our volunteer coordinator Steve at Volunteer@mainelockerproject.org or sign up for our volunteer newsletter here
COMPANIES THAT CARE: THE THIRSTY PIG
"I've found the Locker Project to be the most direct way to give back right in our community. Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and access to food is one of the most important and basic human needs. Being able to make a meaningful positive impact, especially in our own community, is of great importance to me. The Locker Project makes giving very easy; not only is it a great cause but the members of their organization are wonderful to work with. It's rewarding to know that a charity you're donating to is helping children right in our very own community. For children, for food insecurity, for Portland, it's one of the best ways to lend your time and your money. Come join us on The Thirsty Pig deck this summer – we love meeting other fans of the Locker Project. We look forward to this community partnership for years to come."
– Allison Stevens


The Thirsty Pig 
37 Exchange Street
Portland, ME 04101
UPCOMING EVENT: ALLAGASH STREET FAIR
We are honored to be invited back to the annual Allagash Street Fair! This year there will be carnival games along with music, food, beer, performances and fun events! Buy your tickets here: www.allagash.com/street-fair

Allagash Street Fair
Saturday, June 23, 2018
50 Industrial Way
Portland, Maine
 
MAKE A DONATION
Copyright © 2018 Locker Project, All rights reserved.


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