CARIBOU, Maine — A partnership with Aroostook County Action Program and a network of community partners is expanding JMG students’ ability to make a difference in combating hunger.
For the second year, JMG students are collecting non-perishable food items to benefit their communities. Last year they collected approximately 2,200 cans, boxes and bags of food, which they donated to a local food bank. This year, students set a goal of 3,000 food items, and were looking for a way to reach more people in the community. That’s where ACAP came into the picture.
“The students believe that hunger is the largest social issue that citizens of Aroostook County face. Students decided that they wanted to have a food drive that would benefit not only residents of Caribou, but would reach surrounding towns in need of help. With the idea of reaching multiple communities, I thought of ACAP,” said Dr. Valerie Ann Waldemarson, JMG specialist at Caribou High School.
“I spoke with my students about providing a donation to ACAP and they loved the idea. The idea of reaching people all across Aroostook County really motivated them.”
JMG students began collecting food prior to the winter break and will continue for 21 days. By the end of Winter Carnival week, they had already collected more than 1,200 food items. A team from ACAP met with JMG earlier that week to discuss how best to distribute the food donation to affect the most Aroostook County communities, from the southern and central regions to the St. John Valley. The group decided community food cupboards were the answer.
A year and a half ago, ACAP erected easy-access food cupboards in Presque Isle and Houlton. Since then, similar cupboards have begun in other communities. ACAP Family Coach Heidi Rackliffe coordinated a pick-up of the donation that will stock cupboards in Mapleton, Perham, Wade, Washburn, Caribou, Mars Hill, Presque Isle and Houlton. To make sure food makes it into all regions, ACAP will distribute food from Fort Kent in the north to Dyer Brook in the south.
“Within moments of sending out an email, I had responses from cupboards who are eager for donations, which demonstrates how very real the need is throughout Aroostook County,” said Rackliffe. “Sometimes it’s hard to know when a friend or neighbor is suffering because they don’t always talk about it. They may be embarrassed or too proud, which is part of why these food cupboards have found success because they allow a level of anonymity in a small community.”
Caribou JMG Senior and President of the JMG Career Association, Apollo Grodin, says he is excited about this partnership.
“I believe that ACAP will help JMG carry on their mission of community service and aid in the promotion of food security through Aroostook County with this food drive,” Grodin said. “It is my hope that this carries on for years to come. Neighbors helping neighbors. That is what it is all about.”
Caribou JMG Freshman Alaina Cotts believes food insecurity is an issue within Caribou and that even though they are young, students have a role and responsibility to educate and take a proactive role in combating this problem.
ACAP will receive the food donation and begin distributing to community cupboards by the end of March. The agency and JMG hope the partnership may lead to other opportunities for the two service-minded organizations to find ways to work together towards making life better in Aroostook County.
