Support the fight against childhood hunger this summer

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The Portland Housing Authority seeks volunteers to help with distribution of balanced meals to youth in our four family neighborhoods around the city. The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded and administered by the Maine Department of Education and provided to us through the Opportunity Alliance.

Volunteers are needed June 20th - August 19th, Monday through Friday, 12-1pm (or any part thereof) to:

• help distribute the prepared meals to youth
• keep the lunch room clean (wiping down tables and sweeping the floor)
• facilitate an efficient lunch service to serve as many youth as possible

Some of our meal sites serve over 100 meals over the course of the lunch hour so volunteers are essential to feed as many youth as possible.

Free nutritious meals are available for children and teens 18 years of age and younger during the summer while school is out of session. Many children depend on free or reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts for nine months of the year. Summer vacation exposes many of them to increased risk of hunger and developmental decline. Portland Housing Authority hosts 4 of the 16 open meal sites around the city where any child can go for a free summer lunch, but The Opportunity Alliance's Summer Food Service Program serves meals to children well beyond Portland to sites throughout Cumberland County. In fact, TOA's program hosts 24 sites, more sites than any other sponsor in the state. Last year, The Opportunity Alliance’s Summer Foods Services program served more than 57 thousand meals and snacks to children throughout Cumberland County. Families can find a summer meal site near them by calling 2-1-1 or going online to 211Maine.org