Healthy Lincoln County, in partnership with local business and nonprofit organizations, collected 533 pounds of food through their first annual Snacks for Students Drive. Popcorn, granola bars, raisins, apple sauce, and other kid-friendly items are in the process of being distributed to local schools, area mini-pantries, and youth-serving groups.

Healthy Lincoln County wishes to thank and acknowledge the following generous donors: Rising Tide, Miles Memorial Hospital, Revive Salon & Skin Care, Bangor Savings Bank, Kieve-Wavus Education, the CLC YMCA, Cheney Financial Group, and Full Circle Primary Care. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program of Brunswick also donated food through their Food Bank sharing program. Individual donors throughout Lincoln County collected food as well.

“We’re very fortunate that so many people stepped up to help feed kids,” drive coordinator Lee Emmons stated. “Originally we were just looking for enough snacks to cover our school-based pantries. However, we have collected enough food to donate to other organizations as well. That feels like a huge gift to Lincoln County.” The drive began on January 17th and ended officially on Valentine’s Day.

To learn more about Healthy Lincoln’s school-based pantry program, please contact Lee Emmons at lemmons@healthylincolncounty.org or at 622-7566, ext. 236. For information about Healthy Lincoln County’s overall food security programs, please contact Jess Breithaupt at jbreithaupt@healthylincolncounty.org.

If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, the Lincoln County Food Hotline can be reached at 207-563-6658. All calls are confidential and those in need will be connected to emergency food boxes and to other food-related resources.