LITTLETON, Maine — Organizations across The County are benefitting from nearly $53,000 in grants thanks to the The Aroostook County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation.
Andrea Nemitz, communications and marketing specialist for the foundation, said $10,000 of the money went to MSAD 33 in St. Agatha for a new academic program. The school will create agricultural educational programs centered on the design, building and operations of a new greenhouse.
Nemitz said that Cary Medical Center in Caribou will use its $9,600 award to create and implement free hypertension screening and diabetes prevention programs that will include training and certification of University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing students and healthy cooking and fitness programs for six communities.
As the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton continues its expansion, supporters will use $8,680 in funding to create an exhibit with the world’s largest potato basket to highlight contributions of the Micmac Tribe to potato harvesting in Aroostook County.
Also getting awards were:
Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Inc. in Caribou, $8,700 to improve its ability to provide emergency food and supplies, disaster relief, kenneling, and adoption services for pets.
Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, $4,452 to increase participation in the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program in four rural communities through outreach to recipients and training for farmers.
Town of Grand Isle, $5,370 to expand the town’s capacity to provide outdoor performances and community engagement.
Town of Madawaska, $6,000 to help the local food pantry make energy efficiency improvements that will decrease operational costs and increase funding available for programming.
The Aroostook County Fund is a permanent endowment that supports projects and nonprofits that strengthen communities in The County. Applications go through the foundation’s Community Building Grant Program and are reviewed by a committee of local leaders.
The Aroostook County Fund is built through donations from the community. Anyone wanting more information about the fund should contact Erica McCrum, Maine CF foundation officer, at (207) 227-7678 or emccrum@mainecf.org.
A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.
