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Good Shepherd Food Bank / Programs / Youth and Family Initiatives

Youth & Family Initiatives

Our Youth and Family Programs focus on meeting the nutritional needs of children during the times they are most likely to experience hunger: after school, on weekends, and during summer vacation.

Child with plaid shirt hugging oranges and green apples

Support for kids when they need it most

Our programs serve Maine youth and families year-round.

School Pantry

We partner with over 210 public schools, early childhood centers, and college campuses to provide consistent access to nutritious food for students and their families.

Our school partners not only serve as food distribution sites in vulnerable areas but also function as vital community resource hubs where families feel welcomed, supported, and safe.

A line of students boarding a school bus.

Kid’s Café

The Kid’s Café program provides highly nutritious, kid-friendly snacks and prepared meals at community locations during after school hours.

In addition to providing a safe space for children to work on homework and explore new interests, Kid’s Café partners also host nutrition education programs for participants year-round.

A young girl with her healthy plate of food in front of her.

Summer Food Service

During the summer months, we work with partners in Brewer and Bangor to serve up freshly prepared meals that are both nutritious and delicious for FREE to children ages 18 and under.

Use the Summer Meal Site Finder or text “Summer Meals” to 97779 / Call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site near you.

The impact of this program

“ Just having [the summer meal program] takes the pressure off my shoulders, even for just a minute. This helps in 800 different ways. The kids usually have breakfast and lunch at school but don’t during the summer. ”
– Susan Mother of Summer Food Service Participants

The impact of this program

“ With one in seven children facing food insecurity in Maine, we strive to meet the nutritional needs of Maine kids during the times they’re most likely to experience hunger and offer support in a variety of places – including 220 school pantries, 29 Head Start programs, seven colleges, and over 10 summer and after-school meal sites. ”
– Laura Vinal Senior Manager of Community Initiatives

The impact of this program

“ The correlation between access to nutritious food and early childhood development and learning makes Head Start locations the ideal match for Food Bank programming that makes healthy food available, at the right place and time, through trusted adults. ”
– Kristen Miale Former President of Good Shepherd Food Bank

    Bring these programs to your local community

    For more information regarding our Youth & Family initiatives, School Pantry, Kid’s Café, Summer Food Service or to coordinate onboarding any of these programs into your school or community, please reach out to Good Shepherd Food Bank.

    Contact Us
    Two young students enjoy their lunch at school.

    The Youth & Family Initiatives Support Team

    Meet the team that supports our Youth and Family Initiative Programs.

     

    Laura Vinal

    Senior Manager of Community Initiatives

    Kazia Knepp

    School Initiatives Coordinator

    Danielle Labonte

    After School & Summer Meals Coordinator
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