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King Middle School, Riverton Elementary School and Casco Bay High School have received Portland Public Schools (PPS) Food Fund mini-grants for projects that foster food security for students and their families.
The PPS Food Fund gives community members the opportunity to invest in projects that build food security for PPS students and their families. Food Fuels Learning (FFL), with support from Superintendent Xavier Botana, began raising money for the Food Fund early this year. It just completed its first round of Food Fund mini-grants, which went to three inspiring school-based projects.
● “Stocking The King Food Pantry” received $400 to ensure food insecure students have consistent, reliable access to nutritious food.
● “Garden Education Supplies and Materials” received $300 to provide teachers at Riverton School with lesson kits on gardening and the resulting nourishing food for their students.
● “Friday Food Partner Program” received $200, which will allow the food pantry at Casco Bay High School to purchase a cart for storing and distributing food to students and families.
In addition to those awarded funding, Food Fuels Learning provided direct support to all Food Fund applicants through connection to community resources and facilitating network building. This included facilitating introductions with vital service providers such as Wayside Food Programs, Cooking Matters, The Locker Project, Cultivating Community, SNAP-Ed, and Let’s Go! 5210. The result was that each requester for funding was able to access resources to address the needs expressed in their proposal.
The PPS Food fund is a collaboration by the Foundation for PPS and Food Fuels Learning (FFL) and is made possible through generous donations by the community. Each contribution will go to a grassroots, school-based project that directly meets the needs of students struggling with food insecurity.
How to Donate
Checks should be made payable to:
Foundation for Portland Public Schools
353 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
In the memo line, please write: PPS Food Fund
Donate Online
In the “select a campaign” drop-down menu, please choose: PPS Food Fund.
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