School & Agency Partnerships

We partner with more than 50 schools and local agencies to reach children and families who are at risk of going hungry.

School Partnerships

Since the Locker Project began in 2014, we have partnered with the public schools to reach children and families at risk of going hungry at home. With schools providing meals to all students free of charge during the school day, the times kids are most likely to go hungry are in the evening, over the weekend, and during school breaks.

Currently, we serve students in Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook schools. We work with our partners at each school site to choose the combination of program models that will work best for their students.

Middle and high school programs typically include regular fresh food events, where we set up tables with fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and other items. Students and staff can “shop” for the items that fit their dietary needs and preferences. We also stock a pantry at several upper-grade schools.
Elementary school programs typically include purple take-home bags filled with staples and green bags filled with produce, with students receiving each type on alternating weeks. Some elementary schools also have a pantry and/or a regular fresh food event.

Parents in these districts can get information about our take-home food programs by contacting the social worker or main office at their child’s school.

Agency Partnerships

We also partner with dozens of local agencies and community groups to reach younger children and families who may not be able to access our school programs. At most locations, we provide regular fresh food events or green take-home bags. Case managers from selected agencies can order family boxes for home delivery.

Agency staff invite children and families to participate and/or share dates and times when our staff will be on site to share fresh produce. Events that are open to the public can be found in our calendar.

Partners include: