Freezin' for Food & Fuel Security
For the past 21 years at Freeze Out, we have been “Freezin’ for a Reason.” This year, 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 have seen food insecurity increase in our communities alongside the increase in the cost of food and the decrease in federal food assistance. FCS’ food and fuel assistance is aimed at helping everyone in our community regardless of income or other status. Our goal this year is to raise $21,000 to support our food and fuel programs!
The Food Pantry
FCS purchased just over 11% of the food that went to the Food Pantry in fiscal year 2023, or over 25,000 pounds of food out of nearly 216,000 total pounds that we distributed.
FCS purchases food and other goods to fill in the gaps in what we receive through donations to the Food Pantry and what our clients need.
The BackPack and Summer Snacks programs
FCS entirely funds its two school lunch programs.
Our BackPack program provides a bag full of food weekly to students throughout the school year.
Summer Snacks provides a variety of foods weekly to any RSU5 student throughout the summer. The program served over 120 students each week in 2023.
Community Free Lunch Fridays
Every first and third Friday, volunteers prepare and serve over 100 in-person and delivered meals. That’s about 2,000 Free Lunches served per year!
Our direct costs are minimal for this program as the food comes from the Food Pantry, but we 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.
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
We are seeking businesses to donate a percent of sales on Feb. 21, to match donations of a certain amount, or make any donation to our campaign!
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.
