BETHEL — On Oct. 10, the Bethel food pantry hosted a workshop focused on sustainable housing and food practices with volunteers from all over the state of Maine. The workshop ran for the full day, featuring talks by Kristen Powell and Bonnie Poole in the morning, and visits to the Gemini cafe and Gould Academy.
Powell opened with an overview on food insecurity in the SAD44 community. According to her, last year “42% of the kids qualified for free and reduced lunch” This applied to the elementary school levels, though there remained demonstrated need through middle and high school.
There was also a discussion of the backpack program – a way to secure food for students who may not be able to access meals at home. When it comes to the size of Telstar middle and high school, there are around 150 students in each who qualify for the backpack program. However, Powell reported that in the two combined, only four students are currently on the backpack program. There is no official requesting process when it comes to getting on the list for supplied food. “It can be ‘I need food’ and you’re on the list,” said Powell. The program is funded with grant money from Sunday River.
The backpacks themselves are usually stocked with seasonal produce and easy-to-make canned goods. The goods must have a flip top and not require a can opener. “The majority does not come from Good Shepard food bank,” said Dave Bean. The meals are intended to be things that students could prepare on their own without assistance.
The middle school has also implemented a daily snack program. Originally this program was funded entirely by the food pantry, but now is funded by the school district. The snacks ensure that students have something to eat during the day, and set an equal chance for all students to have the same kind of food, regardless of financial status or need.
Post COVID, Maine was one of the first states to allow free lunch for all students, regardless of financial need. Some schools still require forms to be submitted so that the numbers can be tracked, but students are free to eat the same lunch as their peers without worrying about affordability. “Everyone knows that they can come and they can eat,” said Poole. “There’s been a leveling of the playing field.”
