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From left to right: Dustin Wood, Marketing Director for Central Maine CU; Ellen Dore, Food Service Director for RSU 16; Amanda Olmstead, Camp Director for Camp Connor; and Vicki Stuart, CEO of Central Maine Credit Union.
On July 24, Central Maine Credit Union (CU) joined representatives from RSU 16 at Camp Connor in Poland to present the district a check for $3,000 to sustain the summer meals program. The money will fill a funding gap that would have left the district unable to provide its annual program to kids in the greater Poland area.
“Our entire school district is grateful for Central Maine Credit Union’s support,” said Ellen Dore, Food Service Director for RSU 16. “There is no way we would have been able to provide the nutritious meals our students count on during the summer months without this generous donation.”
RSU 16 has been providing summer meals throughout the district for over 10 years. Its largest open meal distribution site is at Poland Parks and Recreation’s Summer Camp, which serves children in grades 1-8.
“When Poland moved its summer camp location to Camp Connor on Range Pond, we learned that we were no longer eligible to receive federal reimbursement for the costs of all meals provided there because Camp Connor is not located in a low-income area,” said Dore. “It was eye opening to learn that some areas of Poland qualified under that definition, while others did not.”
To qualify for financial reimbursement through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program, locations in a community where summer meals are distributed must be designated as low-income regardless of whether the children receiving the meals live in that area or not.
“Losing those federal dollars was a game-changer for us,” added Dore. “There was no way our district could absorb the entire cost of the summer meals program without financial assistance. That’s when Central Maine Credit Union stepped in to help.”
Thanks to a donation by Central Maine Credit Union, RSU 16 is meeting the needs of its community this summer. The program, which began on June 24, will provide approximately 3,900 lunches and 2,900 breakfast meals to children in the area.
“Summer meals are a vital lifeline for children in our community,” said Vicki Stuart, CEO of Central Maine Credit Union. “When our credit union found out this important program was in jeopardy, we knew we had to take action. Ending hunger is an initiative we take seriously and we are pleased to lend our support.”
On June 18, the Maine Legislature presented Central Maine CU with a legislative sentiment, sponsored by Senator Ned Claxton, in recognition of the credit union’s support for Camp Connor.
WMTW News 8 Coverage: https://www.wmtw.com/article/3-000-donation-keeps-maine-summer-meals-program-going/28497944
Wood and Stuart with the happy campers.