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As the school year comes to a close, many Maine families are preparing for a difficult reality that arrives every summer: the loss of reliable access to school meals for children. For thousands of students across the state, school breakfast and lunch programs provide consistent, dependable nutrition throughout the academic year. When summer begins, many families are left struggling to fill that gap on their own.
That is why school districts and community organizations across Maine are working hard to expand summer meal programs and ensure children continue to have access to healthy meals during the months ahead. Several schools and organizations are currently seeking financial support to help continue or grow their summer meal efforts, and Maine’s credit unions once again have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Our League recently received a list of funding requests from Full Plates Full Potential, a longtime partner dedicated to ending childhood hunger in Maine. Contributions made through Full Plates can provide full or partial support to a specific summer meal grant request, helping more children access meals this summer.
If your credit union has Ending Hunger funds available and is interested in supporting a summer meal program, please contact Jen Burke, League Vice President of Outreach & Strategic Initiatives, by close of business today, Friday, June 5. Burke can provide additional details about the amount requested by each school or organization and how the funds will be used.
The following have requested a grant:
- Auburn Housing Authority
- Auburn-Lewiston YMCA
- RSU 16
- YWCA Central Maine
- MSAD 27
- RSU 33/MSAD 33
- Food for All Services – Portland
- Portland Public Schools/Cumberland County Food Security Council
- RSU 61/MSAD 61
- Cranberry Isles School (Islesford & Great Cranberry Island)
- Deer Isle-Stonington CSD
- RSU 24
- RSU 25
- Trenton Public Schools
- Augusta Teen Center
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley
- RSU 18
- Healthy Lincoln County
- RSU 19
- Bath Area Family YMCA
- RSU 57
It is important to note that if a school district or organization within your credit union’s field of membership is not included on the current funding request list, it may simply mean they did not apply for summer funding assistance through Full Plates this year.
Maine’s credit unions have long been leaders in the fight against hunger, and many credit unions have supported meal assistance programs in the past. As summer begins, we hope you will consider lending a hand once again to help ensure Maine children have access to the meals they need.