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- EIN 22-2806424
- (207) 775-4939
- Po Box 1278 Portland ME 04104-1278 USA
- www.waysidemaine.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Congregate Meals, Food, Food Banks & Pantries, Food Programs
Mission: The mission of wayside is to increase access to food for those in need in southern maine by providing a system for community based volunteers who serve prepared meals where such meals are needed, and by collaborating with other hunger agencies in developing an efficient network for the collection and equitable distribution of food.
Programs: The community meals program helps people access nutritious meals in their own neighborhoods through partnerships with churches and community centers, reaching residents of greater portland unserved by existing resources. Neighborhood settings are familiar and reduce the stigma often associated with asking for help. Wayside prepares meals at a central kitchen, shared with portland public schools. The meals improve current conditions by supporting healthy eating habits and reducing food insecurity. Over time, these programs decrease risks for chronic diseases and reduce the financial burden of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease upon the community. Wayside's food rescue program provides food to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies in cumberland county. In 2017, food rescue distributed 1,900,000 lbs of food through partner agencies. Wayside's community garden program partners with a portland housing authority site for low-income seniors & disabled adults to facilitate garden workshops and built garden beds, a compost bin, and a cold frame. A lawn donated by a south portland homeowner became a vegetable garden for the community meals and mobile food pantries. The cupboard collective lakes region food transportation service was designed to increase accessibility of healthy food in communities outside greater portland. Wayside makes bimonthly deliveries of rescued food, t. E. F. A. P. Food & food from good shepherd food bank to pantries in bridgton, naples and casco.