Full Plates, Bright Futures: Our Meal Drive Grows
By Daniel Reyes26 Dec 20254 min read
Last spring our Friday packing crew hit a wall: 400 boxes, one small pantry, and a waiting list of 90 families. This winter, that waiting list is gone.
A Bigger Kitchen Changes Everything
When Harbor Community Hall offered its commercial kitchen, our partner cooks doubled hot-meal output overnight. Saturday routes now carry two ready-to-heat dinners per family alongside the grocery staples — and delivery finishes before noon.
Farms Joined The Route
Six Maine farms now set aside weekly produce crates at cost. Kids who once found only canned corn in their boxes open them to find apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes — often picked the same morning.
“My son asks what’s in the box every Friday like it’s his birthday. Last week he found strawberries.” — Lena, meal drive guest since 2023
What Comes Next
With the $30,000 goal in sight, spring brings a second delivery van and a Wednesday senior route. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, Friday packing night is the happiest room in Portland — come see for yourself.
- 400+ families served every single weekend.
- Zero families on the waiting list since November.
- Next stop: a senior midweek route this spring.
Volunteer coordinator and Friday packing-night lead.
Keep the boxes full this winter.
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