The Scarborough Food Pantry is open, and visitors are being offered drive-through curbside service during regular operating hours. For the health and safety of the volunteers and patrons, no one is allowed inside the pantry at this time. Please contact the pantry before doing a food drive, setting up a collection box, or making a donation of food. Food donations will be needed, but unscheduled drop-in visits from donors are temporarily suspended. The offers to help and the generosity of the community are very much appreciated; gifts of money and grocery gift cards are the best ways to help us right now.
Red Cross blood drives have been canceled, resulting in fewer blood donations and concerns about the nation’s supply for transfusions. Healthy people can schedule an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Updated information about blood drives and the impact of coronavirus can be found at facebook.com/MaineRedCross.
Creative Portland has created the Portland Artist Relief Fund to help artists and creatives in Portland with modest stipends. The Portland Symphony Orchestra started the PSO Musicians Relief Fund to help its musicians who are losing work and income because the coronavirus.
If you are worried about feeding your kids, email [email protected] or leave a message for School Nutrition at 730-4700 to sign up for the "backpack" program. Also, area food pantries including Scarborough’s are remaining open and are providing curbside service. The Wayside Food Program, South Portland Food Cupboard, Scarborough Food Pantry, Town of Scarborough, and Project GRACE are working together to provide additional food for the families getting support from the School Nutrition backpacks program. Personnel from Scarborough Public Works helped with the first delivery of boxes of food to Wentworth; South Portland Food Cupboard donated perishables; and Wayside Foods will be supplying perishable and nonperishable foods, including fresh milk, to the backpacks program.
We all have to do our part. Social distancing is the most important thing all of us can do to help. We could be contagious even if we do not have symptoms. Staying home as much as possible and limiting close contact with others will protect the health of the whole community, especially older adults and those with chronic conditions. But we can and should keep in touch with our friends, family, and neighbors.
>> 3/27: A message from Tom Hall, Scarborough Town Manager (video link) >>4/2: Please stay safe, please stay at home |