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Kids who have nutritious meals are healthier overall and succeed more at academics and social skills, that's obvious, but it bears repeating as we are increasingly concerned about the federal administration's funding cuts that will bring hardship to Maine communities. The USDA's canceled contracts for food for schools and food pantries, for example, comes at a time when at least one in eight Mainers are hungry, including some 45,000 children (about 20% of Maine people under 18). Maine leads New England in food insecurity, and there is hunger right here in Scarborough, too. That's why Project GRACE sponsors food drives, helps families and seniors with groceries, invests in community gardens growing nutritious food, meets the needs of students with gifts like a new 'micro pantry' at the high school. All of this and more is part of our "Feeding our Neighbors" priority to improve access to quality food for people in our community who struggle with the basics: food, clothing, heat, healthcare. Also just this week the Town reported pauses on federal funding for two USDOT grants and one Dept. of Energy grant, alongside its concern for the status of funding for the Child Care Subsidy Program, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, Medicare payments for EMA services, and key funds for the School Department's special education and nutrition programs. We appreciate the Town Manager for his careful monitoring of these and other potential impacts to municipal funding. The Town e-news is one way to stay "in the know". Go to: https://www.scarboroughmaine.org/stay-connected/town-e-newsletter.   As we look forward to the return of Spring and events like Maine Maple Sunday, we'll be hosting a pop-up "pancakes & more" food drive this Saturday (10-Noon) at 25 Plaza Drive, Oak Hill. Bring pancake mix & syrup, instant oatmeal, PB&J, fruit cups, breakfast bars, non-perishables for the pantry. Grocery gift cards are also needed. Thank you!  Have you heard? Maine Trust for Local News ends print publication of the Scarborough Leader and will switch to digital only editions. We are deeply disappointed by this decision, as the Leader is where we find out what's going on around town, and where we share Project GRACE news, too.
We aren't alone: as noted in the March 15th Town e-news, a "2023 community survey found that 76% of respondents used the Scarborough Leader newspaper as their primary source Town of Scarborough information..." While we can still find the Leader online, we encourage our friends and neighbors to visit our social media and to stay "in the know" by subscribing to the Town Newsletter published on the 1st & 15th of the month. We are grateful for all donations in any amount for fuel assistance, and we're pleased that leadership gifts and pledges are coming in, helping us get closer to our goal of raising $25,000 to keep our neighbors warm. Read more about the Rally in this week's Scarborough Leader. Visit www.fuelrally.org to pre-order chili, chowder or soup and enter a photo in our first winter photo contest.  Do you love winter? We do! Show us your take on how we celebrate the season with our neighbors and besties, and appreciate the stunning scenes and beauty of where we call home. Deadline to sign up online: February 1st. Judging will occur at the Fuel Rally on Saturday February 8th. Top prizes and bragging rights for "Best in Show" "Neighbors' Choice" and category winners. www.fuelrally.org fmi, contest rules, and link to register.  Happy New Year, neighbors!! All of us at Project GRACE hope your holidays were merry, and that this year is filled with peace and joy and love. We are humbled by all the support and friendship at the holidays, and all year long. Presents under a tree, a donation toward heat or groceries or 'where it's most needed', and the gift of time spent with us are all very much appreciated. It takes a lot of helping hands and community spirit to bring so much joy to so many. Thank you. neighbors! Read some of the thank you notes we receive, meant really for all the givers in our community: https://projectgracemaine.weebly.com/thankyounotes  What's under a tree? So that kids around town and our neighbors have a merrier holiday, we're asking for help collecting traditional holiday gifts like: new hats and mittens, cozy socks for kids and adults, new toys for kids of all ages, craft kits and games for families, pajamas and read-aloud books, hoodies for kids and teens, shampoo and hygiene items, and spices for the food pantry. Grocery and retail cards as well as gifts to the Keep Our Neighbors Warm fuel fund or our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund are also very much appreciated.
   KCV will match up to $2,500 of #GIVINGTUESDAY gifts through Dec. 10th. CAN WE COUNT ON YOU? The Project GRACE Board is excited to announce a #GivingTuesday match for all funds raised for our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund now through December 10th. Our challenge goal is $5,000, and we need your help to maximize this generous match opportunity from Art and Belinda Ledue. Can we count on you to give $100 or more? You can double the impact of your giving by clicking the button above or make a pledge. 100% of your gift will help your neighbors with groceries and heat.
 Many thanks to the Volunteers in Police Service who helped us host a food drive, and all our neighbors who donated staples and fixings and grocery gift cards on Saturday. We are grateful for the support for our pop-up food drive for the Scarborough Food Pantry. Thank you also to Gorham Savings who allowed us to use their parking lot. It was a beautiful day, made all the better by the smiles and generosity of volunteers, donors, and neighbors. Thank you!
 What's under a tree? So that kids around town and our neighbors have a merrier holiday, we're asking for help collecting traditional holiday gifts like new hats and mittens, cozy socks for kids and adults, new toys for kids of all ages, craft kits and games for families, pajamas and read-aloud books, hoodies for kids and teens, shampoo and hygiene items, and spices for the food pantry. Grocery and retail cards as well as gifts to the Keep Our Neighbors Warm fuel fund or our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund are also very much appreciated. Would you like to host a tree or collection? Let us know!
 Chief Mark Holmquist will speak at the Scarborough Public Library on Tuesday, November 12th (Noon) about his personal experience as a Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. RSVPs are encouraged, as space is limited. The program is free and co-hosted by the Scarborough Public Library and Project GRACE in observance of Veterans Day. Prior to joining the Scarborough Police Department, Mark was a 24-year veteran of the Maine State Police where he retired in November 2021 at the rank of Lieutenant. During his 24-year career, He served for 12 years with Troop A in Alfred conducting rural patrol in York County and 12 years in the Major Crimes Unit in Gray where he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017 and finished the final year of his career as the Troop Commander at Troop A. Chief Holmquist's distinguished career includes his service as First Sergeant from the US Army Reserves in December 2021. He served for 25 years in the US Army, Maine Army National Guard and US Army Reserves. The highlight of his military career was his service as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery from 1992-1993. The majority of Chief Holmquist's Army Reserve service was in the role of Senior Drill Sergeant, assigned to a training unit specifically tasked to turn citizens into Soldiers during basic combat training. Modest honorarium gifts to Scarborough's American Legion Libby Mitchell Post #76, The Travis Mills Foundation, and Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were made by Project GRACE to recognize Chief Holmquist for his service and for sharing his experience with us. We are also grateful to the library for co-hosting this very personal and inspiring program.
The holidays are fast approaching, and we're hosting our annual "Fixings" Food Drive to benefit the Scarborough Food Pantry on Saturday, November 9th 12:30-2:30 (38 Hannaford Drive). As a complement to the Scarborough Kiwanis Club's generous donation of turkeys for the food pantry, we're collecting the ingredients for a delicious holiday meal: gravy and stuffing, instant potatoes, green bean casserole ingredients, canned pumpkin and corn and fruit. Extras like aluminum foil and roasting pans or festive napkins are needed, too. Shelf staples like pasta and sauce, soups and chowders, brownie and sweet treats ready mixes, salad dressing and condiments, pb&j plus also grocery gift cards in any amount would also be appreciated. 
 Have you heard? Project GRACE and other civic groups will be at the High School on Election Day (7a-8p). A huge THANK YOU to the town staff and all the volunteers working the polls to make sure our voices are heard.
Project GRACE supports Yes on 3 for Scarborough because of the core conservation benefits for our town and the region, and because public access to nature is both social and environmental justice. Plenty of scholarly studies affirm the values of connecting with nature for good health, overall well-being, and happiness, and everyone in our community should have the opportunity to enjoy those benefits. Scarborough's land bond will contribute to sustain a just and equitable community for everyone. We hope Scarborough voters will give their enthusiastic support to Question 3.
Worried about the cost of heating your home this winter? You're not alone. Stop in at the Scarborough Public Library on Friday, November 15th (Noon-1:30) for a free workshop offering tips, ideas, and freebies to help you save fuel and funds to keep you warm at home this winter. This program is made possible by grants and the generosity of supporters who include: Scarborough ACE Hardware, Prouts Neck Association, Higgins Beach Association, AARP, Scarborough Public Library, and the Town of Scarborough. 
We'll be at Sustainable Scarborough Day, too! Stop in Sunday (10-2) at Wentworth School to pick up weatherizing tips to keep your home snug this winter.
Volunteers and supporters from around town have generously contributed to our annual back to school drive and our neighbors helping neighbors mission. We're grateful to one and all, including Rotary Club of Scarborough, Ace Hardware of Scarborough, Town & Country Federal Credit Union, Piper Shores, Bessey Commons, Katahdin Trust, IDEXX, Mend Health, Nonesuch River Brewing, Enclave of Scarborough, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Patriot Subaru, Jack Chevrolet, Michelle Raber State Farm Insurance, Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, and so many more! Thank you so much!
 Hurricanes "Helene" and "Milton" have just delivered a mighty double wallop to Florida and delivered unprecedented damage to communities across the southeastern states. While we hope for the best for everyone, it's also a reminder that here on the coast of Maine, we're no strangers to hurricanes and storms. It's also a reminder for us to assess our own disaster preparedness. Does everyone in your family know your meet up and communication plans?
If you have a go-kit already made, when was the last time you checked that its contents were complete, in good working order, not expired, and ready to use? Don't wait until an emergency is looming to take the time to get ready. Visit our resiliency resource page for links and tips on putting kits together for your family and your pets, too.  Mainers who may qualify should check to see if they are eligible for LIHEAP (federal heating assistance for low-income households) and apply as soon as possible. It takes time for applications to be approved. Opportunity Alliance takes applications for HEAP from eligible Cumberland County residents.
  The return to school is just around the corner, and we are gearing up to give families a helping hand. We'll need the usual items: new sturdy backpacks, pencils and pens, erasers, markers, glue and tape - check our SignUpGenius for what's most needed. (printable list by grade level). Please bring your donations to the Scarborough Public Library on Monday August 26th (10am-2pm). If you'd rather not shop, please consider making a gift today to Project GRACE to sponsor a child's backpack. Thank you! 
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