As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families in the community face increased hardship. Hunger and poverty, already at unacceptable levels, are affecting children at an alarming rate, and the hunger that children face today has the power to impact the rest of their lives.

As part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in Maine remain nourished and healthy, the campaign recently announced nearly $340,000 in grants to 12 school districts and community organizations to support their efforts to feed kids. No Kid Hungry worked in close partnership with their lead Maine partner, Full Plates Full Potential, to invest in districts and community organizations with critical needs, according to a news release from Washington, D.C.-based organization.

“No child should have to struggle with an empty stomach or stress about when they will eat again. These grants will help reach more kids with the food they need to grow up healthy, educated and strong,” said Kristen Dunphey, field manager for the No Kid Hungry Campaign, according to the release.

“The funding awarded by No Kid Hungry has been crucial in supporting nutrition programs statewide to reach as many kids as possible during these challenging times for families,” said Jenn So, senior program officer at Full Plates Full Potential, according to the release.

Below are the recipients of this round of No Kid Hungry grants across the state of Maine:

• Wabanaki Public Health;
• Biddeford School Department;
• Kittery Public Schools;
• Lewiston Public Schools;
• Auburn School Department;
• Bangor School Department;
• Portland Public Schools;
• Regional School Unit 54/Maine School Administrative District 54, serving the communities of Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Smithfield;
• Veggies to Table, a grow-to-donate farm in Maine; and
• Westbrook School District.

For more information about No Kid Hungry, visit nokidhungry.org.