05 Jul FCS Food Programs in the News
The strong community demand for our new Summer Snacks program – open to all RSU5 students – received local press coverage over the past couple weeks.
While we are happy the new program has been a success in providing families with food their kids will eat and without income or other restrictions, the response highlights that many are struggling to meet their families’ needs in the Freeport-Pownal area. Since the news coverage, we now have 150 kids in the Summer Snacks program.
We also highlighted the increased demand at the Food Pantry, at the same time as we have seen donations of some popular food items decline.
Find links to the news coverage and our press release below.
13 WGME
"Freeport snacks program doubles in need during the summer"
News Center Maine
"Freeport food pantry sees increase in people needing assistance"
Times Record
"Freeport Community Services launches Summer Snacks food program"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2023
Strong Response to New Summer Food Program Shows Clear Community Need
Freeport, Maine—Freeport Community Services (FCS) is launching its new Summer Snacks food program on June 28, and the strong community response shows a clear need in the Freeport and Pownal communities.
The demand for the student food program comes amid a marked increase in demand at the FCS Food Pantry, alongside a decline in food donations, which has forced FCS to temporarily limit pantry visits to once per week per family.
Over 125 kids have signed up to participate in the summer food program so far, about double the number that participate in the organization’s food program available to students during the school year. The number is also well above participation in previous summers under a different iteration of the program.
The program is available to all RSU5 students without restriction and is providing food based on feedback from families and school counselors about what kids will eat and what they are likely to be able to prepare themselves.
The new Summer Snacks program takes the place of FCS’ previous participation in the Maine Department of Education-funded program under which families must qualify based on a set of strict criteria, including levels of concentrated poverty that are generally not present in Freeport and Pownal.
However, the demand for the new program shows that despite Freeport and Pownal
not meeting some official poverty thresholds, many families are in need and will
benefit from this program.
“This year, we ventured out on our own with a new program that we are funding ourselves, and the response has been remarkable,” said Sarah Lundin, FCS executive director. “We are validated in our approach to provide appropriate foods without restriction, though the response does reveal a strong, basic need in our communities for food.”
FCS is also seeing the need for food in Freeport and Pownal through increased demand in recent months at its Food Pantry. Meanwhile, food donations have declined for a number of reasons. Until supply can keep up with the increased demand, FCS has been forced to limit families to visiting the pantry just once a week. The Food Pantry is also available to residents without income or other restrictions.
Families of RSU5 students participating in the Summer Snacks program will pick up free bags of food every Wednesday from June 28 to Aug. 16 at FCS from 9:30-11:30am. Foods will include cereal, granola bars, milk, peanut butter, mac & cheese, ramen, fresh produce and more.
FCS provides essential and emergency relief services to community members in need, in total confidence, without question – food, fuel, transportation, referrals, free medical equipment. We do
everything we can to answer a call for help. FCS also provides enrichment programs to help children and adults thrive and reach their full potential in our community.
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