Freezin' for Food & Fuel Security
For the past 21 years at Freeze Out, we have been “Freezin’ for a Reason.” In keeping with that tradition, we’ll be standing outside at different locations in Freeport and Pownal to raise funds & awareness about food and fuel security.
Freeze Out will take place Friday, Feb. 21, from 12-4pm.
Come together at Freeport Community Services’ Bradley Room for a Free Community Lunch from 12-1pm in celebration of Freeze Out during our Feb. 21 fundraiser! We will be serving chili to warm us all.
Our goal is to raise $21,000 for FCS’ food and fuel programs on our 21st year, to ensure all our neighbors have what they need this winter. Thank you for your donation!
Support FCS food & fuel programs
We are seeing food insecurity increase in Freeport and Pownal. At the same time, affording sufficient heat throughout the winter is more and more out of reach for many. FCS’ food and fuel assistance is aimed at helping everyone in our community regardless of income or other status. Our goal in 2025 is to raise $21,000 to ensure our food and fuel programs are fully funded this year.
The Food Pantry
FCS continues to see increased demand for the Food Pantry. In fiscal year 2024, we experienced a 33 percent increase in households served.
Funds donated to FCS allow us to purchase food and other goods to fill in the gaps in what we receive through donations to the Food Pantry and what our clients need.
Student food programs
FCS entirely funds its two student lunch programs.
Our BackPack program provides a bag full of food weekly to students, anonymously, throughout the school year.
Summer Snacks provides a variety of foods weekly to any RSU5 student throughout the summer. The program served 180 students each week in the summer in 2024, a 50 percent increase over 2023, the first year of this FCS program.
Community Free Lunch Fridays
Every first and third Friday, volunteers prepare and serve around 200 in-person and delivered meals. This service experienced an 11 percent increase in demand in 2024 compared with the previous year.
Your donations help us supplement each meal as needed.
Carol Kaplan Fuel Fund
Freeport Community Services’ Carol Kaplan Fuel Fund provides emergency fuel assistance in the form of wood, wood pellets, K-1 propane, or #2 heating oil to those in need in Freeport and Pownal.
We assisted more than 200 households in fiscal year 2024, a 7 percent increase over the previous year.
Two ways to donate online
Donate through our GoFundMe fundraising page!
Donate through FCS’ Venmo!
join us on Feb. 21
Teams of volunteers will stand outside at the following locations from 12pm to 4pm on Fri., Feb. 21 to collect donations. Would you like to volunteer to help collect donations? Contact Susan by email or at (207) 865-3985 ext. 206.
Royal River Natural Foods
443 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032
Freeport Community Services
53-55 Depot St, Freeport, ME 04032
Bow Street Market
79 Bow St, Freeport, ME 04032
Shaw’s
200 Lower Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
First Parish Church
40 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Maine Beer Company
525 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032
Short Stop
413 Hallowell Rd, Pownal, ME 04069
local businesses supporting Freeze Out
Participating Businesses
Buck’s Naked BBQ
Donating a percent of sales on Feb. 21!
Toad & Co
Donating a percent of sales to Freeze Out!
Island Treasure Toys
Donating to Freeze Out!
Freeport Oyster Bar
Matching tips to employees!
Thank you, local businesses, for supporting Freeze Out!
Businesses in Freeport and Pownal step up to help us during Freeze Out by asking customers to round up their purchases, donating a percent of sales, hosting volunteers to ask for donations, giving cash donations and so much more.
Would your business like to participate? Contact Christine by email or call (207) 865-3985 ext. 221 to learn more.
