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Contact – Scott K Fish, Communications and Marketing sfish@seacoastmission.org or 207-458-7185
CHERRYFIELD, ME — When Maine Seacoast Mission Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington read the news about Covid-19 restrictions in March 2020, she knew it meant big changes for the Mission’s food programs Downeast. She also knew the Mission has helped communities through crises for as long as it’s been around. This latest crisis would be a chance for the Mission to help and to grow.
Months earlier, the Mission had started bringing together all its food security programs within a Family Food Center that would make it easy for families to access education, food, community, and resource support in one place. The food pantry, Downeast Table of Plenty (DETOP), Weald Bethel garden, and child/senior hunger programs would be part of an integrated continuum of services supporting family resiliency.
Covid-19 precautions caused a spike in the number of people turning to the Mission food pantry for help. Wendy Harrington said, “To meet the need, we recruited staff from other Mission programs which were on hold because of Covid-19.” Mission staff, including EdGE instructors, and volunteers stepped up to fill the need at the pantry.
Before, customers shopped at the Mission food pantry as they would any food market. As a coronavirus defense, the pantry doors were closed to the public. Instead, customers are now served by a new drive-through system. It includes an online food order form and the ability to call in food orders to Mission staff. Customers place their orders; volunteers and staff box them up and then place the boxes in cars as customers move along the drive-through.
The Mission also increased food deliveries to people unable to get to the food pantry, or who relied on meals served at the DETOP suppers.
As more and more people lost wages, experienced layoffs, and relied on the food pantry for daily sustenance, long-time Mission food pantry partners became even more important. Good Shepherd Food Bank, Shaw’s and Walmart in Ellsworth and government programs and private donors either provided funds to buy more food, or increased the variety and amounts of donated produce, meats, and dairy products.
The Mission’s food distribution partnership with nonprofit Mano en Mano in Milbridge also grew. The Mission worked with Mano en Mano staff to acquire and offer food staples to over 150 Latinx family households. An initial donation from McKays Public House in Bar Harbor, followed by a grant from Good Shepherd Food Bank, helped make this happen.
The Mission food pantry also teamed with Folklore Farm in Milbridge to provide local produce. Intervale Farm in Cherryfield offered dormant blueberry freezers to accommodate a large donation of fresh meats for the pantry. As a new Family Food Center initiative, also in tandem with local farmers, the Mission built and distributed 40 Gardens-in-a-Box, and 150 tomato plants in containers to local families.
The Mission Family Food Center is well underway and embracing new opportunities to strengthen community. We encourage you to watch and share our new video short depicting our work with our emerging Family Food Center programs.
Learn more about Maine Seacoast Mission’s food security programs.
BAR HARBOR, ME — The Mission’s July 2020 eNewsletter is available now online (PDF). Includes updates on our MissionTogether August 14 Virtual Event, Mission 2020 Scholarship recipients, new Mission Directors, a Sunbeam update, a Downeast Maine Tiny House Project update, and more.
You can also subscribe to our eNewsletter. Click here.
Hanging sheetrock inside the Downeast Maine tiny house.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, after a several month hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, is back on track.
The house, which will be owned by a disabled military Veteran, was in its first phase of construction at Assabet Valley Regional High School in Massachusetts. After students under the direction of Lead Teacher of House Carpentry Bill Italiano made the tiny house ready to travel, the next step was to drive the house to its lot in Milbridge, set the house on its foundation, and finish the home for occupancy.
Enter Covid-19. Assabet Valley Regional HS was closed, students were sent home, then the school year ended. Months passed. Finally, Bill Italiano was given permission to re-enter the school. Using his own vacation time, Bill started completing the work necessary for the tiny house to travel to Maine. He was later joined by former student James Watkins, and Bill’s friend, Jack O’Brien. Lee Watrous, a wonderful Housing Rehabilitation Program volunteer, is now also on site at the HS finishing up the interior sheet-rocking.
The goal is to have the home in Milbridge by late July. A million thanks to Bill Italiano, Lee Watrous, and all of the volunteers who put this very worthwhile project back on track. The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project is a joint effort by CF Adams Foundation, Maine Seacoast Mission, Downeast Community Partners, and volunteers. News updates to be added to the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project blog.
BAR HARBOR, ME – At its June meeting, the Mission Board honored directors whose terms were expiring and approved new members, an experience that always happens with mixed emotions. Two incoming members, Diehl Snyder, MD and Joanne Harris will join the Board.
Dr. Snyder recently retired as director of MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center which he was instrumental in founding. For many years, Dr. Snyder has assisted the Mission and Sunbeam crew with telemedicine psychiatric services. He was a Sunbeam Award recipient in 2019. Dr. Snyder is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Joanne Harris served as Human Resources Director of The Jackson Laboratory for almost 3 decades, followed by 10 years at MDI Hospital. She also served on the Maine State Workforce Development Council, helping shape job opportunities for Maine citizens. Retired in 2017, Joanne has worked with small businesses in a consulting role. She graduated Florida State University, Tallahassee, with a baccalaureate degree in Political Science.
Stacey Smith of Bar Harbor, elected to the board in 2011, is passing the torch as President to Dan McKay, of Northeast Harbor. Linda Lewis of Bar Harbor started as a board member in 2014, serving on the Island Services Committee and Downeast Campus Committee. Jim Geary of Southwest Harbor, elected to the Board in 2011, served on the EdGE Committee, as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, and as an Audit Committee member. They have helped steward the Mission through strategic planning, major capital campaigns, leadership transition, and a public health crisis.
We offer a heartfelt welcome to new Mission directors and the community’s utmost gratitude to those who answered the Mission’s call of compassionate service.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to Renee Pray.
Renee Pray works as a cook at Milbridge Elementary School during the school year, and with the Mission and other partners during the summer, providing meals to children in the community. She is committed to feeding all children and does it with a smile on her face. The children love her and the meals she creates, especially her chocolate chip cookies.
The Mission offers meals to children at EdGE Summer Camp and through deliveries to childrens’ homes this summer and we couldn’t be more appreciative of Renee Pray and MSAD #37, as we partner in supporting Washington County families.
Terri Rodick’s car decked out to deliver “Graduation in a Box.”
“Graduation in a Box”
BAR HARBOR, ME — We welcome 20 new Mission Scholars this year! “The scholarship amounts range from $1,500 to $5,000, totaling $67,000 in new scholarships, and $104,000 in renewed scholarships to Hancock and Washington County students,” said Mission Scholarships Director Terri Rodick.
This year’s application season saw many changes as we adjusted the program to adapt to Covid-19 restrictions.
“This year we did all our interviews on Zoom,” Terri explained. Even though there were some issues with internet connectivity, still, she said, “I felt Zoom was a great way to meet the applicants. It allowed our sheltering at home Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee to participate in a meaningful, thoughtful way. The student applicants were already studying online this spring. Their availability and flexibility made scheduling time to meet with them much easier,” Terri said.
Also, because the Class of 2020 missed out on their normal graduation ceremonies, for each Mission Scholarship recipient Terri put together a “Graduation in a Box.” Scholarship grads within driving distance were treated to Terri (standing in their driveways, wearing a mask at a safe distance!) presenting them each with a congratulatory box of surprises and accolades. Boxes were mailed to 2020 grads outside Terri’s driving range.
Congratulations to all! They join a 100+ year Mission scholarship tradition.
Maine Seacoast Mission New Scholarship Recipients for 2020
