NOTE: Mission Service Program Director Wendy Harrington said of this project: “The students/teachers purchased food at Walmart and brought it to the pantry. They worked with the pantry manager to identify items that were most needed.”
News Provided By Maine Department of Education June 18, 2021, 17:03 GMT
Maine FFA Association, representing nearly 400 students grades 7-12 enrolled in courses related to agriculture and natural resources, recently completed a valuable statewide community project addressing issues of homelessness and food insecurity in Maine. Four target areas, associated with nearby FFA chapters, were identified: Bangor (partnering with the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter), Waterville (partnering with the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter), Cherryfield (partnering with Maine Seacoast Mission Food Pantry), and Presque Isle (partnering with the Aroostook County Action Program, the Sister Mary O’Donnell Homeless Shelter, Dahlgren Skidgel Farm of Hope in Caribou, Perham Food Cupboard and Washburn Food Pantry).
The goals of the project included purchasing materials to support the shelters and food pantry, sorting, packaging and distributing materials as well as learning more about the challenges and resources available to address homelessness and food insecurity. Highlights of the educational component of the project included FFA members at Narraguagus High School learning more about the services and volunteer needs of the food pantry in Cherryfield….
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love is from our Student Pathways Team to their colleagues at Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School in Harrington for their invaluable collaboration and support with Pathways programs serving middle, high school and college students.
We have had a longstanding partnership with Narraguagus through our former GearUp Program and our Mission Scholarship Program. Recently, we have also partnered through our Journey Program and College Exploration and Engagement Program.
Thank you Maria Frankland, Mary Gordon, Sue Dow, Caroline Foote, Robin Newman, Michele Birkenshaw, Todd Emerson and MaryEllen Day for your encouragement, guidance, and welcoming spirit.
We have missed seeing you as much during this Covid period, but we remain grateful for the opportunity to partner with you on behalf of the students (like Lisett shown here) and communities in which we both believe.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Thank you, Mission Director of Student Pathways Christina S. Griffith for this photo and update about Haley, who “participated in our first College Exploration and Engagement Summer Retreat and is in our first readiness program cohort,” said Director Christina Griffith.
The readiness program provides mentoring and support as the students involved transition to and through college.
Haley was also inducted into “the National Honor Society at Narraguagus High School on Tuesday, October 29th,” said Director Griffith, adding, “Congratulations to Class of 2022 college exploration and engagement student Haley and to fellow Narraguagus students inducted into the National Honor Society.”