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Food-4-Thought Backpack Program Expands

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School is bacFood 4 Thoughtk in session after the winter break, and the Food-4-Thought Backpack Program volunteers have resumed packing weekend food packs for participating children at Mildred L. Day elementary school!  The start of 2016 marks the halfway point for the Backpack Program’s first year providing the weekend food packs.  The new year also provides a great opportunity for us to reflect on our program’s f
irst five months and focus on how to best serve the needs in our community.
The roots of the program go back to September 2014, when a small group of community members began meeting to try to find a way to address childhood hunger in our towns.  Over the course of that first year, we developed a unique model for our backpack program, partnered with community members and existing resources, and exceeded our fundraising goal!  We chose Mildred L. Day elementary school to pilot the program, with a goal of extending the program to every school in the district within five years.  Our program provides food packs on Friday afternoons for children to bring home for the weekend.
With the support of a large group of dedicated volunteers and strong community partners, we are excited to be able to offer our Food-4-Thought Backpack Program to other elementary schools in the district before the end of the 2015-2016 school year!  We are thrilled about being able to expand the program ahead of schedule, and will be continuing to explore ways to maximize program participation not only at Mildred L. Day school, but at the other elementary schools as well.
If you, your company, or someone you know would like to support the Food-4-Thought Backpack Program or any of COS’s other community programs, please let us know.
Andrea Brown at andreabrown.thrive@gmail.com for Backpack Program, and
Beth Jones at info@coskennebunks.org for other COS Programs.

50 Local Participating in Giveback Night January 13

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We are pleased to announce that one of Kennebunk’s local businesses will donate to COS 10% of their total sales for the night. So join COS at 50 Local on January 13th from 5pm-on for LOCAL GIVEBACK! Come eat, drink and support a local business and non-profit organization all at the same time. Can’t get any more local than that!

Located in downtown Kennebunk, 50 Local  brings fresh local ingredients in every dish on a menu that changes daily. They are a bistro style restaurant brought to you by local gal Merrilee Paul & her husband David Ross that features the best of the area’s resources. Relying on local farms, fisheries and a commitment to the community, 50 Local is downtown Kennebunk’s neighborhood establishment. 50 Local presents an outstanding, approachable menu containing many of the traditional dishes offered in French bistros with an American take, served in a comfortable, elegant, & friendly atmosphere.

COS exists because of local support from local businesses and members of the community. It truly is a community helping its neighbors in need. Thank you 50 Local for your support. We hope to see you on Wednesday evening, January 13. Come and dine. Cheers!

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Open Thank You Letter from Executive Director Beth Jones

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Beth solo PicCommunity Outreach Services (COS) is so grateful for the continued support of the voters of Kennebunkport. Twice a year, on Election Day, the town holds a “Stuff the Bus” Food Drive at the polls. These drives go a long way towards stocking our shelves and providing funds for our programs. On November 3, Election Day, Kennebunkport voters donated 610 pounds of food and $1,143 in cash. It was a wonderful way to begin the holiday season. We especially appreciate the volunteers from the Kennebunkport Health Council, the Kennebunkport Recreation Department and the Town of Kennebunkport for all their help running the food drive. To all who participated, you’re the best! Thank you.

COS is celebrating 25 years in operation serving the towns of Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Arundel. Starting as a non-perishable food pantry in November of 1990, we have expanded to include a perishable food pantry, a school snack program, a fuel assistance program, an emergency needs program, a voucher program with Kennebunk Hannaford, and Holiday food baskets. We are currently working with Food 4 Thought providing food for the weekend to qualifying children in RSU 21. If you want to know more about us, please visit our webpage at www.coskennebunks.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coskennebunks.

Without the volunteer and financial support from the community, we would not be able to help those in our community who need that extra help to get them through a difficult time in their lives. Please consider helping us during this time of year when there are so many needs. You can get in contact with us easily by visiting our website and clicking on the Contact Us page or you can call or write us at:

Phone:  (207) 604-0445
Write:  P.O. Box 1175, Kennebunk, ME 04043

You can also donate online at www.coskennebunks.org.
Your contribution is tax-deductible.

Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Beth Jones
Executive Director

Nonantum Resort Hosting Benefit Breakfast for COS

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Nonantum Resort pic

Come enjoy a delicious benefit breakfast buffet at the Nonantum Resort, Saturday, November 21 from 7:30am to 10am. Open to the public. Adults $15.95 + tax & gratuity. Children 12 and under $7.95++. Children 2 and under are free. A portion of the proceeds goes to COS to help meet the growing needs for the services we provide here locally to those in need.

COS helps feed children, elderly, families and single parents struggling to put food on their table right here in our own community. We also provide fuel aid to those who are in emergency need to heat their homes this winter. COS has been serving the Kennebunks for 25 years. We are very thankful for the residents and businesses of our community that have supported us for these many years. We thank the good folks at the Nonantum Resort for their part in hosting this breakfast buffet.

KHS Students Kick Off Food Drive for School Spirit Challenge

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This year, a couple of KHS students decided to do something to give back to their community. In doing so, they chose to participate in the School Spirit Challenge the week of September 28th with a focus week in collecting non-perishable items. This event incorporates a food drive, and a pep rally that promote participation within the community both inside and outside of school.

Each day, there will be a theme, such as pasta or canned vegetables. They are asking that students try to participate each day, as we are trying to reach their goal of 10,000 pounds of food. Funds are just as important as collecting non-perishables, and are greatly appreciated. You can check out this website where you can donate food and/or funds towards the cause.

Virtual Grocery Store

A portion of the proceeds goes directly to the COS local food pantry in addition to being distributed to families in need throughout the state. Every dollar donated equals four meals for a family in need. Beginning next week, we will have collection boxes in various locations throughout the high school to collect both food and funds to go towards our totals.

In addition, on the morning of October 2nd from 6-8am Channel 13 News will be at KHS hosting a televised pep rally. Throughout that time there will be various school wide events.

Any contributions are greatly appreciated. Let’s support our kids and do our part. Go Rams!Feed the Hungry