Teaming Up to Feed Hungry Children in Presque Isle
“ When our community sees a problem , they find a way to solve it .”
Sherry Locke , Executive Director United Way of Aroostook
For some children in Presque Isle , finding a decent meal on a regular basis can prove difficult , particularly when school is not in session . There are programs in place that help ; however , when a gap in service was identified , a collaboration of local organizations stepped up to meet that need .
During the summer , SAD # 1 provides breakfast and lunch , through federal funding , to children in the Presque Isle area who are under the age of 18 . However , once the high school goes back into session , the funding ends , which leaves the elementary and middle school students without that meal program . The Summer Gap Feeding Program was created as a solution to this problem and will provide lunch to approximately 250 children daily during the month of August .
The Aroostook Medical Center , the United Way of Aroostook , the Presque Isle Housing Authority , and the City of Presque Isle have partnered together to help bridge that gap . This effort has quickly gained a lot of support from businesses and individuals throughout the community .
“ During this time when high school is in session but the lower grades are not , a budget that normally provides just dinner now must provide three meals a day , often to more than just one child ,” said Jamie Guerrette , community health specialist at TAMC . “ This problem seems fairly unique to Presque Isle because of the split harvest break .”
58 SPRING 2017
Sherry Locke ( left ) from the United Way and Jamie Guerrette from TAMC identified the summer gap feeding issue while working with children during a community program last August .
Guerrette and Sherry Locke , executive director of The United Way of Aroostook , realized the problem last summer , when they were offering activities for children in collaboration with the Presque Isle Housing Authority . The duo worked to find a solution and to gather support from businesses and to find volunteers , leading to the creation of the Summer Gap Feeding Program .
“ This exemplifies our motto , ‘ Living United ,’ said Locke . When our community sees a problem , they find a way to solve it . By bringing the community together to solve the problem the United Way of Aroostook is doing what we do best in our community .”
Food will be collected and assembled through the Presque Isle Recreation Department . The new Sargent Family Community Center has a beautiful kitchen area and food will be assembled ala carte style and handed out using TAMC ’ s “ WOW wagon ”.
“ We are looking forward to working together to fill this need in our community ,” said Chris Beaulieu , director of the Presque Isle Recreation Department . “ We will be helping to prepare 20 days ’ worth of meals that will assist approximately 250 children daily .”
Jennifer Trombley , director of the Presque Isle Housing Authority , said the organization is glad to be a part of a community-wide solution that will help support so many families in maintaining a healthy lifestyle .
“ It is very rewarding and heartwarming to be working with local community-based agencies such as TAMC and United Way ,” Trombley said . “ The core group of individuals who have taken the time to meet and get to know some of the families who live at the Presque Isle Housing Authority have been swift in their response after identifying a need in our community . We are glad to