Freeport Cares

Places to Get Help:

Freeport Community Services is where neighbors, friends, and businesses come together and take action to support one another and strengthen our community. They manage food programs, home heating assistance, a holiday helpline and so much more. They are always the best place to start when you might need support. FMI: https://fcsmaine.org/ 

The Bakeshop: Now available at no charge our Bakeshop Foodbox for those who need it. Ample portions. Just go to our webpage and click on our pre-order menu. Click on the “Specials” tab and order online for pick up every Monday and Wednesday. When you go to check out you will edit your pick up time to Monday/Wednesday from 12-5pm. The entree and proteins may change weekly. Find them at 123 Main St.

Wanderlust Juicery: Free community meals for anyone who needs one. Find them at 4 Mechanic St. 869-5806.

The MET Coffeeehouse: Free Kids Meals at The MET Coffeehouse for Families Impacted by the Government Shutdown. If your family has lost access to SNAP benefits because of the recent government shutdown, support is available right here in our community. The MET is offering free kids’ meals to help families facing food insecurity—no questions asked, just a warm meal for your child when you need it most. Drop by The MET to enjoy nutritious meals and excellent coffee and connect with staff who care. We’re committed to ensuring that every child is fed and every family feels supported. You’re not alone—The MET is here for you.

Sam’s Italians: Starting November 1st, we will provide 10″ cheese pizzas for children 12 and under (2 per family, per week) for FREE! No additional purchase needed. This will be for dine-in or take-out. We will continue the program until the government shutdown concludes. Show us proof of I.D. with your SNAP or EBT card and have the child with you. If a parent wants to eat with their child, we will discount your meal by 10%. Find them at 7 Main St. 

Midcoast Humane: When people struggle to feed themselves, their pets often go hungry too. If you or someone you know needs help getting pet food, please reach out. Animal shelters and rescues are here to help pets stay in their homes with the people who love them. No one—human or animal—should go hungry. We hope this list of pet food resources offers support during this difficult time. Get the full list at https://www.facebook.com/midcoasthumane

How to Help:

Donate to Freeport Community Services! Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has notified states that November funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) will not be issued. In Maine, nearly 170,000 individuals rely on SNAP. Most households include one working adult, more than half include a person with a disability, 43% include an older adult, and over one-third include children. The average monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four in Maine is $572, so any delay could have a devastating impact on our Freeport and Pownal neighbors. We’re looking to our community to help with immediate food pantry needs listed below or donate directly to FCS. Together, we can all make a difference! DONATE: https://fcsmaine.org/planned-giving/ or leave donations in the bin on the Food Pantry Loading dock at 55 Depot Street.
If you know of a resource or a fundraising project/collection event not listed here, email margaret@visitfreeport.com with the details. You do not need to be a Visit Freeport member to be included on this page. Projects must take place in or serve/benefit Freeport, Pownal, Durham and/or New Gloucester residents. 

 

Bow Street Market    For full details: https://www.bowstreetmarket.com/snap-benefits-shutdown-support/

  1. Donate Food: We’re collecting the items the pantry needs most right here at the market: Cereal, Pasta & Pasta Sauce, Canned Tuna, Rice, Canned Diced tomatoes, Feminine Products, Diapers, Toilet Paper, Cans of soup, Shelf Stable Juice, Condiments *Please no glass
  2. Donate at Checkout: Simply scan one of our donation barcodes at the register to give in $1 and $5 increments — it all goes directly to the food pantry.
  3. Drop Cash or Change: Our Community Giving Bin is located at the front of the store. Every dollar helps feed local families. All donations will go directly to the Vaughndella Curtis Food Pantry at Freeport Community Services, supporting individuals and families right here in our community.

 

Buck’s Naked BBQ + Studio Bar: Join us on November 5th + 12th as we team up with Freeport Community Services to give back to our community.

– 10% of food sales will be donated directly to FCS
– We’re also collecting non-perishables, gift cards & essentials all month long — drop something off when you stop in!
Mast Landing Brewing Company: Maine’s community food banks and pantries are in dire need of assistance right now. Throughout the month of November, Mast Landing is facilitating food and monetary donations to help support several food banks and pantries throughout our community. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP: Bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations to any Mast Landing taproom for the entire month of November and receive a raffle entry for a chance to win great prizes (including 2026 Wavy Days Beer Fest tickets) from Mast Landing Brewing Company. You can donate multiple times for multiple raffles entries. Each week we’ll be assisting a different food bank or pantry in our community. THANK YOU for helping fellow Mainers in need. ♥️?
Sweet Repeats Children Consignment is hosting a gift drive for Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine from 11/15-12/10. Donate NEW items so that kids can have something extra special this holiday season. Toys, art supplies, winter gear including boots accepted for ages 0 – 10. Last year, AFFM made sure that 1400 children had an item to open for the holidays. Find them at 554 US Route 1. Open from 10 AM-5 PM.

FCS Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteers Needed:

Balsam Realty (Jonas & Kate Werner) is preparing for another Freeport Community Services Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov 27, Thanksgiving Day from 11 to 2.
This is our 22nd year bringing the community together with FCS and so many local nonprofits, individuals, businesses, volunteers and home bakers. Dozens of local kitchens are pitching in to be sure no one is alone on Thanksgiving.
Thank you to the FCS event sponsor Maine Beer Company and to our partners:
Chef Barton Seaver & Chef Dom Petrillo of Double Barrel
(Roasted Turkey)
Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro (Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Potatoes)
Our family (Corn Pudding)
Pies & Desserts Donated by local families
Volunteer spots are limited but we still need more pies and desserts.

FMI: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AAAB2FA1FCC70-60069517-22nd

 

Rustic Arrow: Starting today through Thanksgiving, customers who bring one or more items from the list above to donate to the @freeportcommunityservices food pantry, will receive a 20% coupon to use this holiday season at Rustic Arrow!

Goodfire Freeport Tasting Room & Kitchen: Bring your nonperishable food items to us OR…we’ve made it even easier: add your choice of FCS Pantry’s most needed items when placing your Goodfire food order, and we’ll do the buying/delivering for you!

 

Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company donates $1 to charity each time someone buys their Pizza With Potential. The charity changes each month, the featured pie changes each quarter. For November and December the pizza is topped with Portuguese chouriço, bell peppers, onions, Manchego cheese, avocado crème, & red sauce. November charity is United Way of Southern Maine. December charity will be The Dempsey Center. Find them at 20 Bow St. Open from 11AM – 9 PM. 

 

From Nov 1 – Dec 1, Waypoint Physical Therapy will be collecting nonperishable food donations to help feed families in the Freeport community. Drop off your items at 125 US Rt 1. They will deliver to Freeport Community Services.