Gov. Janet Mills speaks on child hunger in Maine, citing the 80,000 students who rely on free meals. The governor took part in Oakhurst’s announcement event Friday at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center. Chance Viles / American Journal
WESTBROOK — My Place Teen Center will benefit from an Oakhurst donation to after-school meal programs.
Oakhurst, partnering with Full Plates Full Potential, will donate $300,000 over three years to the teen center and other non-profits, including Boys and Girls Clubs in Portland, Lewiston and South Portland and the Lewiston YWCA, and to Portland Schools.
Details of how the fund will be shared among the groups have not been finalized.
Gov. Janet Mills, Oakhurst President John Bennett and city officials attended the announcement of the donation Friday at Westbrook Middle School.
“Our children are the future of our state, but, today, so many of them don’t have access to nutritional meals outside of schools, and that is unacceptable. Oakhurst and Full Plates will provide meals outside of school to thousands of children across Maine,” Mills said.
Mills said 43% of all children in Maine, roughly 80,000, rely on free meals.
“For some of these children, lunch at school is the last meal of the day and we need to fix that,” Bennett said.
Westbrook 8th grader Jake Mitchell said after-school meals are important to students like him.
“I play in track and the meal after school helps a lot, and helps students participate in school and after school,” Mitchell said.
Oakhurst, a dairy company, has been operating in Maine for the past 97 years.
Superintendent Peter Lancia and 8th grade student Jake Mitchell speak on the importance of meal programs after school. Chance Viles / American Journal
Gov. Janet Mills speaks with Westbrook Middle School students after the Oakhurst announcement Friday. Chance Viles / American Journal
The conference brought together middle school students, Westbrook officials, state officials and school officials. Chance Viles / American Journal
Oakhurst President John Bennett announces the $300,000 donation. Chance Viles / American Journal
School Committee Chairman Noreen Poitras, left, and School Committee member Sue Salisbury watch the announcement, with Mayor Mike Foley next to them. Chance Viles / American Journal
An example of an after school meal, which has a main staple food, fruits and vegetables as well as milk or water. Chance Viles / American Journal
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