FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Children’s Task Force has announced that that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation.

Funds will support the continuation of the Young Hearts Playgroup and the Food, Fun, Fitness initiative in the Jay and Livermore/Livermore Falls area.

The task force playgroup programs focus on early childhood literacy, nutrition and parent education/support. The children and families attending the group will foster healthy relationships while spending time together in a safe and nurturing environment.

The programs will provide an opportunity for families to have structured reading time. Reading aloud to children promotes oral language development and vocabulary development. Reading aloud also introduces new concepts, gives children a sense of story and teaches them how a book works.

Part of the mission of the MainStreet Foundation, established in 1997, is to advance innovative strategies that will create fundamental positive change promoting the quality of life. For more information about the foundation, call 777-6651.