It's difficult to overstate the importance of giving children healthy meals and snacks, and especially so for kids whose families struggle to stretch tight budgets for groceries and other essentials. When kids come to school hungry, it's harder for them to fully participate in school activities and their future is threatened in profound ways.

The recent news from the schools highlighted the many, including Project GRACE, who have stepped up during the disruption to lend a helping hand or make a financial gift. Schools are closed, but our hearts are open, and our kids are getting nutritious meals and groceries for the family, thanks to the tireless work of the nutrition staff and school bus drivers  and volunteers who made the pivot to make the 'backpacks' program work when schools were closed due to the pandemic. >>MORE

For many years, Project GRACE has partnered with Scarborough School Nutrition to get more groceries and more healthy meals to at-risk kids. We are pleased to present a grant in the amount of $2,934.25 to the Scarborough School Nutrition program to cover the snacks and milks, school lunches, and second helpings for students whose families were not eligible for the 'free and reduced' subsidy, but still could not afford to pay nutrition fees this academic year before schools were closed. This annual grant is made possible by charitable gifts made to Project GRACE, and compliments other investments in the 'school backpacks program' as well as grocery gift cards and supports provided to families through the social workers and guidance counselors, school nurses, and administrators.

We are particularly grateful for the compassionate and respectful way in which the school staff address hunger among our students. No child goes hungry; no child or parent is shamed. It's our pleasure and privilege to work with such dedicated and caring people, who make it so easy for us to extend the reach of our neighbors-helping-neighbors services into the community.

If you are having difficulty feeding your kids, please reach out to the school nutrition team who is ready to assist. Email food@scarboroughschools.org or call (207) 730-4700. "Our goal is to make sure all students have the necessary food to stay healthy," said Nutrition Director Peter Esposito.

Friends of Project GRACE, including the Loyal Order of the Moose and Town and Country Federal Credit Union, have donated funds to help us distribute simple health kits with 2 masks, 2 pairs of gloves, and a 2oz bottle of hand sanitizer. Thank you! The donation is also being used to offer masks at two 'help yourself' locations: one at the Scarborough Public Library and one at the Post Office. Be well, everyone!  (If you'd like to help us keep the Post Office station supplied with masks, please get in touch!)

Many many thanks to all the talented stitchers who are making masks for their neighbors! We especially want to thank the Salvation Army Ladies' Auxiliary, Pine Point Quilters, Casco Bay Quilters, Pine Tree Quilters Guild, The Rock Church, and the many individuals who are sewing masks for family, friends, and causes here and away. Dozens of masks have already been shared with Scarborough Terrace, Public Works, Bessey Commons, Maine Veteran's Home, Scarborough Food Pantry, and Public Safety, just to name a few. Thank you!! **Let us know if you're sewing and need more fabric; the Salvation Army Ladies' Auxiliary has donated several bolts of fabric, and we will happily swap a couple yards in exchange for a couple of masks!**

United Way of Greater Portland has awarded $259,073 in the second round of grants from the Greater Portland COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to 25 local nonprofits, schools, and faith-based groups on the frontlines working with individuals and families disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  Project GRACE, Scarborough Police Department and Scarborough General Assistance were jointly awarded a generous and timely $15,000 grant that builds on our community's very long and successful history of working together to give a neighbor a helping hand when it is most needed.  These are difficult times for everyone, and this grant will allow the three agencies to respond to urgent and immediate needs due to the COVID-19 crisis. >>MORE

We'd like to give a shout of thanks to El Rayo and Tito's (https://elrayotaqueria.com/) who donated forty complimentary meals to share with our neighbors. DELICIOSO!!

People across the country, and here at home, are putting their talents work, sewing masks. Project GRACE volunteers are collecting and distributing homemade masks. Scarborough Terrace would like masks (the kind with pockets for filters). If you'd like to help, let us know!

>>You can drop off your masks at Scarborough Terrace, or mail them to Project GRACE at PO Box 6846, Scarborough ME 04070, or contact us.

>> Video Tutorial #1 on YouTube   &  >> Video Tutorial #2 on YouTube

>> Video Tutorial #3 on YouTube   &  >> Pattern With Pocket (PDF)

We are grateful to Public Works who earlier this week helped us move dozens of Hannaford Helps food boxes and juice from the pantry to Wentworth for the ‘backpack’ program providing food to families.(PG added some hand soap, too.)

If you are worried about feeding your kids, email food@scarboroughschools.org or leave a message for School Nutrition at 730-4700. Also, area food pantries including Scarborough’s are remaining open, and are following health experts' advice on taking precautions. Visitors will be asked to stay in the parking lot, and will be served curbside.

There is plenty of food available for now, thanks to everyone who donated a Hannaford box at the holidays or gave food and money. We will keep you posted on needs as they arise. >>Food for Thought & Action Update 3/18.

There have already been a lot of offers of help coming our way, and some requests for help, too. We've set up a network to manage offers and requests. We'll get through this together!

Governor Mills, Maine Legislature Approve Unemployment for Displaced Workers >> WCSH 17.March
Governor Mills has introduced, and on March 17 the Legislature passed, emergency unemployment legislation that temporarily extends eligibility to unemployment to workers that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.>>MORE @ DOL

Maine PUC Temporarily Stops Utility Disconnects >>WMTW 16.March
The Maine Public Utilities Commission has ordered all utility disconnections be halted until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.The emergency moratorium covers electric, natural gas, water and phone service. >>MORE @ PUC

IRS Extends Tax Filing Deadlines >> 18.March
All individual and other non-corporate tax filers may defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest.  Corporate taxpayers are allowed a similar deferment of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. “Americans should file their tax returns by April 15 because many will receive a refund...” said Treasury Secretary Mnuchin. 

Project GRACE is committed to the health and well-being of our community, volunteers, and neighbors; and to continuing to provide needed and timely services to our neighbors.

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following the recommendations of experts at local, state and federal levels on the best course of action. We are also listening to our colleagues in the business and nonprofit sectors, partner organizations, and community leaders so we can follow best practices as the situation develops. We are also posting information about resources and what we're doing to help our neighbors >> here.

It is key we all stay calm and understand and follow the recommendations from health experts and town and state government. We think this image helps explain the social distancing strategy that will help our communities slow the spread of the virus, allowing our healthcare systems be able to take care of patients.

Social distancing is not social isolation: stay connected with your loved ones, friends, and neighbors, but keep some physical distance (3' to 6' feet are the current recommendations).It’s essential to the whole community to keep both yourself and other people as safe as possible. Speak on the phone, video chat, email, text, use social media, or send letters or cards to offer support. Practice patience and empathy, smile, and wave, give a compliment or encouragement. And if you must meet in person, to drop off shopping for example, avoid all physical contact, and always wash your hands thoroughly or use sanitizer before and after. Stay home if you or anyone you live with is unwell. Someone's life could depend on it.

We are practicing the CDC recommendations on social distancing, and cancelling or postponing smaller meetings, too.

Not sure how long 20 seconds is? Sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice, or generate your own 20-second song with this handy 'wash your lyrics' app developed by a teenager!  >>MORE

Are you, your family, and pets prepared for a long-term power outage, the impacts of a severe snow or ice storm, major hurricane, flooding, or other extended emergency?

One or two days without electricity and heat may be manageable, but what about extended periods and/or if you need to evacuate to a shelter? Learn greater self-sufficiency for the days after an extended and/or area-wide emergency. Topics include: assembling an emergency preparedness kit; creating a family emergency and communication plan; overview of issues related to food, water, lighting, heat, health and hygiene; prevention and mitigation strategies you can do at home to protect household members, valuables and important documents; and info on community resources and shelters. Class located in a designated shelter space to facilitate questions about how to prepare your family and pets for a shelter stay, should that become necessary.

Presented as a collaboration of the Scarborough Fire Department, Scarborough Public Library, and Scarborough Adult Learning Center. Tues, 3/17/2020, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Scarborough High School cafeteria. FREE, no registration required. Facilitators: Scarborough Fire Chief and EMA Director, Michael Thurlow and Nancy Crowell, Director of Scarborough Public Library

With a messy winter storm on our doorsteps, we know, no matter what Punxsutawney Phil might say, an early spring is still a long way away. The other thing we can say with certainty: Scarborough knows how to come together for common cause, we know how to extend a helping hand, and when it counts we show up.

Our town’s 8th Annual Keeping Our Neighbors Warm Fuel Rally at the Oak Hill Firehouse, is just such an occasion when we all show up. The Fire, Police, Community Services and Library pitch in to help Project GRACE host the Rally. The clerk’s office gives out clynk bags for the fund, too. The Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, and several others doing good all year long are at the Rally, too. From 10-Noon on Saturday, there will be a bake sale, raffles, uplifting performance by State Street Jazz musicians, activities for kids and safety demos for everyone.

In a typical winter Project GRACE helps with fuel assistance about 65 times, and even with generous discounts from friends like Conroy’s, our fuel bill can quickly climb to $25,000 or more in a single season. Local philanthropist, Eddie Woodin, helped establish the Fuel Fund more than 10 years ago. Over the years we’ve raised about $150,000 for fuel assistance, about half of that generously donated during the Rallies.

It really doesn't matter how low the temperatures drop or what the price of oil or propane or firewood is: many of our neighbors have a hard time putting food on the table every month, paying for medicines, covering the rent and basic bills. For anyone living on small fixed retirement incomes, or coping with chronic illnesses, or work in low-paying or seasonal jobs, there are difficult choices to make every month. Many can't make ends meet, no matter how carefully they budget. One senior told us, “honey, I cheated the thermostat. I put it up to 58 degrees.” Yup. Up to 58 degrees!

It is with reluctance that our neighbors set aside their pride and make the difficult call to ask us for help. But thanks to the continued partnership with the Town, and the generosity of too many to name here, we can lend a hand. We won’t leave anyone in the cold.

FUEL FUND by the NUMBERS

$182,000 spent on fuel assistance* since 2011
$159,000 fuel assistance donations raised since 2011
$81,000 raised by 7 Fuel Rallies since 2013

2020 is 8th Annual Fuel Rally: goal is to hit $10,000 in donations in 2 hours

443 households receiving fuel assistance 2011-2019 (470+ including 2020 season)
On average, 65 helps a season.
87% of households receive only one help a season

$12,500 (8% of funds raised) spent on weatherization projects
2020 Fuel Fund donations as of January 15: $3,821
2020 Fuel Expenses as of January 15: $7,195

Special gifts to make the holidays brighter for kids! 

You can be matched to a specific family for a child's needs and wants for the holiday, or you can host a giving tree or make a monetary gift to sponsor a child's holiday. For giving trees, we can provide tags, or you can make your own. Items needed include: new toys and family games, arts & crafts supplies for all ages and abilities, learning toys, new dish towels and cooking utensils, snow pants, hats & mittens, new warm socks for boys and girls, soaps and shampoos, fleece 'throw' blankets, fleece vests and pullovers, energy saving LED lightbulbs, and more...

Check out the giving trees all around town!  If you're hosting a tree for us, or another group, send us a pic or visit us on FaceBook - we'd love to share it!

Project GRACE giving tree locations include:
Big 20 Bowling (toys)
Oasis Chiropractic Family Wellness Center (gift cards)
Inn By The Sea  (hats, mittens & gloves, toys)
Piper Shores (toys)
St Maximilian-Kolbe Church (variety of items)

Tags include: new toys and family games, arts & crafts supplies for all ages and abilities, learning toys, new dish towels and cooking utensils, snow pants, hats & mittens, new warm socks for boys and girls, soaps and shampoos, twin bed sheet sets, fleece 'throw' blankets, fleece vests and pullovers, energy saving LED lightbulbs, and more...

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you got plenty of pie, turkey and all the rest! More than 400 of our neighbors, family, and friends gathered together for the 4th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Chef Peter Esposito and his crew cooked up a delicious meal featuring 65 roast turkeys, plus 150 lbs of potatoes, 100 lbs squash, 120 lbs stuffing, 100 lbs cranberry sauce, and volunteers baked dozens of pies, too. We are grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, and especially to all who shared the holiday with us. You can see more pictures here: http://www.thanksgivingscarborough.org/pictures.html

We also gave away some Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets, and want to thank everyone who contributed, including local Girl Scouts, Scarborough HS Football Team, VIPs, St Max, and all the neighbors who made up a festive holiday meal. 

The Community Dinner is hosted by Project GRACE, Community Services, and Scarborough Nutrition. But we couldn't do it without the many helping hands along the way. We are thankful for all our volunteers, hosts, and sponsors. It takes many hands to make light work, and it's how this dinner comes together every year.

Delicious goodness, that's what's in a holiday meal basket! There are the fixings for a traditional holiday meal plus a modest grocery gift card to get a turkey, or other fresh items. There may also be extra touches like a pack of festive napkins or paper plates, a fresh pie or treat for the kids, rolls or bread, roasting pan or aluminum foil. Some baskets also have the fixings for another meal or two over the holiday weekend: pancake mix and syrup, pasta and sauce, soups and peanut butter. We also hope for fresh items like oranges, apples, bananas or potatoes, carrots, celery, squash, onions, and green beans.

Winter and those colder temperatures are coming. Now's the time to get ready to save fuel and funds. Have you tried any of these easy and inexpensive fixes? Got any other ideas for us?

The first day of school looms large in a child's life, and we all want to see kids head back to school with a smile and ready to learn. Which is why Project GRACE and its partners come together in the waning days of summer to help families who might otherwise go without. This year we gave away a whopping 190 school backpacks!! We are very thankful for all who volunteered their time, brought in a full pack, gave supplies, sponsored a child's backpack, or hosted a collection drive or drop-off site. We also wanted to offer a special thank you to Abbott, Scarborough Dems, and Landry/French who contributed dozens and dozens of full packs, and to our friends at Scarborough Public Library, Katahdin Trust, cPort Credit Union, Gorham Savings Bank, Biddeford Savings who graciously received so many donations on our behalf. And to Staples who featured us in their back to school drive, too! Also a very hearty thank you to St. Max for inviting us to use their hall. Thank you, one and all.

Each and every backpack gave a child a fresh start to the new school year. We are grateful, and so are the parents and kids. One parent told us, the packs 'had everything they needed, and more" and a mom said, "I can't tell you how thankful we are; as a single parent, I couldn't have done this myself." And another said, “A backpack is simple but yet makes my heart happy that they got one with all they need, and the choices were great and well packed. The ease of getting them without feeling like a loser as a parent was good too. The volunteers were very friendly and as excited as I to give the bags. Thank you.”