Food Programs
Focusing on Food
We answer the call of those experiencing hunger in our community – with compassion and without judgment – by offering a variety of food support programs that give our neighbors access to nutritious meals.
For more information about any of our food programs, please contact:
Andy Wyatt, Food Programs Manager
(207) 865-3985 x214 | awyatt@fcsmaine.org
Vaughndella Curtis Food Pantry
Food Pantry hours:
Mon. 11am – 3pm
Tues. 9:30am – 11:30am
Wed. 11am – 1:30pm
Food donations
Mon.- Fri. 8-4 on our Food Pantry Loading dock at 55 Depot Street. Prior to donating, please reach out to Andy at 865-3985 x214 or awyatt@fcsmaine.org.
The FCS Food Pantry provides food to residents in need from Freeport and Pownal, Maine. Freeport Community Services, with generous support from the community, works diligently to help meet the needs of adults and children experiencing hunger. FCS offers a welcoming, market-like experience to those who visit the food pantry.
Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers who support the pantry in a variety of ways, the pantry remains one of the most often used services at FCS’. As a partner agency with the Good Shepherd Food Bank (GSFB) FCS purchases supplemental food and nonfood supplies at the GSFB warehouse. FCS receives surplus food products through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) of the US Department of Agriculture. We also partner with Wayside Food Programs in Portland and pick up donated food through their Commodity Supplemental Food Program for low income seniors.
We are fortunate to have strong community support from individuals, businesses and organizations including civic and school groups who help maintain a well-stocked pantry.
Summer Snacks Program
Freeport Community Services launched its new Summer Snacks food program in June 2023, and the program drew a strong community response.
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.
To participate in the Summer Snacks Program, please contact Amy Liechty, Director of Programs, at (207) 865-3985 ext. 205, or by email.
BackPack Program
Helping Kids in Need
The Freeport Community Services BackPack Program provides children who are living with the effects of chronic hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to eat during weekends throughout the school year.
A few years ago, parents and teachers got together to talk about the growing number of children in our schools who find it difficult to concentrate and learn because they are hungry. In 2018 the Backpack program became a formal FCS program to support healthy eating over the weekend. Every Friday the Freeport Community Services BackPack program provides more than 50 children grades K through 12 in RSU5 with easy-to-prepare food. Proper nutrition over the weekend ensures students can come to school on Monday ready to learn. Community involvement is very important to sustaining this program. Each week a BackPack team carefully prepares and delivers food packs to participating schools. School representatives then distribute the well-stocked backpacks to the children. Volunteers will pick-up, pack and deliver the food to the schools each week and all monetary donations go directly to the purchase of food.
We thank everyone in our community who helps make this program possible!
Food Program Yearly Impact
Thanksgiving Boxes Delivered
Food Pantry Customers Served
Garden Plots Planted
Summer Lunches Served
Community Lunch Program
The FCS 3rd Friday Community lunch is a part of FCS activities from January through October. The lunches are free of charge to anyone, from anywhere, and serve approximately 60-75 people each month. Local, professional, and volunteer cooks, prepare and offer wonderful meals. And a committed staff of volunteers at the event each month, from start to finish, setting up, helping in the kitchen, serving and cleaning. The 3rd Friday Community Lunch offers an opportunity for anyone to join in, sit, and have a homemade meal among friends.
Photo courtesy Portland Press Herald
Home Delivery Program
We know a number of Freeport and Pownal residents who find it difficult to get to us because they have limited mobility or no transportation. FCS Home Delivery helps ensure residents who cannot make it to the pantry will have the food supplies they need delivered to their homes. Each week, volunteers are routinely scheduled to deliver food from the FCS pantry to those who are homebound.
Holiday Meals
At FCS we are grateful to all who help to make Thanksgiving a day of celebration in our community. Each holiday season we give thanks in many ways – from hosting and sharing a Thanksgiving Day meal with our neighbors to helping prepare and deliver meals to those who may not be able to join us at the Community Center. Community Dinner at the Community Center. FCS hosts a scrumptious community Thanksgiving Day meal at the Freeport Community Center with many wonderful volunteers serving hot delicious meals prepared by one of our local restaurants.Thanksgiving baskets complete with a turkey and lots of fixings are provided to those families who wish to prepare their meal at home.
Community Gardens
FCS has a community garden located on Grove St. in Freeport with 20 garden plots available to anyone interested in experiencing and enjoying all of the benefits of gardening and growing their own food. A 4 x 8 ft. raised bed garden plot is available at a rate of $10.00 for the season.
Have questions?
We’d love to hear from you!
Please contact us for more information.