PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — As the new school year gets underway for SAD 1 elementary and middle school students, and harvest recess begins for high schoolers, summer is turning into fall. However, for United Way of Aroostook, The Aroostook Medical Center, the Presque Isle Housing Authority, the PI Recreation Department and many volunteers, the memory of the Summer Gap Feeding Program and the impact it had on area children won’t soon fade.
“The Summer Gap Feeding Program truly exemplifies what the people of Aroostook County do best,” said Sherry Locke, executive director of the United Way. “They identify a problem and work hard to create the solution. When the feeding gap was identified, this community worked together to ensure our children were taken care of. Donations and volunteers came in all shapes and sizes and collectively we were able meet the need.”
With the support of many local businesses, organizations and individuals, volunteers provided more than 3,000 meals to children at four different locations around the Star City from Aug. 7 to Sept. 1. Throughout the early spring and summer, monetary and food donations were collected in preparation for the program, and once the feeding effort began, many volunteers helped to prepare and deliver approximately 150 meals each day.
Once prepared, helpers loaded the meals onto TAMC’s WOW (Wintergreen on Wheels) Wagon and delivered to three locations. Another group set up at the Sargent Family Community Center, where children could also pick up a meal.
Each meal included a protein (ham, turkey or peanut butter), vegetables, dip, yogurt and a cheese stick. The children chose their own healthy snacks, fruit and water. On some days, they had a Popsicle treat, and each Friday, they could select a box of cereal or similar item to take home for the weekend.
“Over the course of the 20 feeding days, over 100 volunteers logged nearly 250 hours of service to their community,” Locke said. Among those turning out to help were a crew from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the St. Apollonia Dental Clinic.
“This was an absolutely amazing creation,” said Leslie Smart, community member. “Not only were many children fed, but the smiles on the faces of the volunteers as they handed out the lunches and the love that was felt by the children leaves one speechless. A big thank you to all those who took their time to help all of our community’s kids.”
