Dear Neighbors,
As the pandemic stretches into its second year, we know people in Maine are struggling to put food on the table. While many federal hunger relief efforts ended in 2021, Waldo County Bounty continues to serve Waldo County residents who are experiencing food insecurity. National and local reports show hunger is on the rise in Maine when compared to pre-pandemic levels. We are proud of our impact to date, and hope that you will make a donation to help us address the rising demand for food in 2022.
In 2021, Waldo County Bounty:
- Purchased more than 27,000 pounds of nutritious fruits and vegetables from local farms for local food pantries and other hunger relief agencies through our distribution partner, Daybreak Growers Alliance. This injected funds into the small farming community in and around Waldo County during a disruptive period, and it provided high-quality produce to families in need.
- Enabled Veggies For All to glean and donate more than 34,000 pounds of farm-grown produce to our hunger relief partners. Volunteers put in 150 hours in support of the cause. Veggies For All also pitched in to help corrections clients grow close to 200,000 pounds of free food for Waldo County by providing seeds, plants, and supplies.
- Expanded the number of Give and Take Tables and “Share Sheds,” where home gardeners can offer surplus produce to their neighbors in a low-barrier environment, to 13 towns. Share Sheds were beautifully constructed by Artisan Builders and students at the Ecology Learning Center.
- In coordination with UMaine Cooperative Extension and volunteers, furnished material and educational support to home gardeners through our Garden Program.
- In partnership with Belfast Soup Kitchen and Daybreak Growers Alliance, launched a pilot Farm Box program that distributed approximately 8,000 pounds of locally grown produce and ingredients to families within 100-189% of the federal poverty level – a population that is often ineligible for federal hunger relief through food pantry services – serving families whose budgets are strained.
We also expanded our board, solidified our communications and networking, launched a new website, and garnered new foundation funding and business partnerships. We are committed to supporting a resilient and sustainable food system in our area for years to come through existing programs and expanding partnerships, with a client-centered approach to our work.
Our programming would not be possible without you. Your donation today aids our mission to improve access to locally-grown foods for people experiencing food insecurity in Waldo County, Maine through cross-sector planning, collaboration, and fundraising.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season on behalf of Waldo County Bounty.
Sincerely,
Mary Leaming, Unity, Board Chair
Jonathan Fulford, Belfast, Board Secretary
Lissa Widoff, Freedom, Board Treasurer
Viña Lindley, Waldo, Board Member and Gardening Program Lead
Lorey Duprey, Burnham, Board Member
Catherine Sanders, Thorndike, Board Member
Johanna Davis, Unity, Board Member
Sara Trunzo, Staff Member
Mattie John Bamman, Staff Member
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Waldo County Bounty works to improve access to locally-grown foods for people experiencing food insecurity in Waldo County, Maine. Tell your neighbors about the campaign, ask those with means to give, and follow and share Waldo County Bounty on Instagram and Facebook.
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