SOUTH PORTLAND — In an effort to bolster donations during a season when contributions typically wane, South Portland Food Cupboard is gearing up for its annual Battle of the Neighborhoods event, slated to run from Feb. 14 to March 17.

The brainchild of Jim Welch, the organization’s operations manager, the Battle of the Neighborhoods originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when dwindling supplies threatened to hamper the food cupboard’s efforts. Since it started, the event has become a local tradition known for the lively competition between neighbors.

“The inspiration of the Battle of the Neighborhood food drive was that as soon as New Year’s Eve comes, all the donations stop coming in,” Welch said. “All that stock would be empty and we would have nothing to give out on Thursdays. We started this to fill the shelves during this time, January to March.”

This year, the competition takes on a new twist as neighborhoods are grouped into an East vs. West showdown. According to Laurel LaBauve, vice president of the South Portland Food Cupboard Board of Directors, the format shift aims to foster inclusivity, ensuring that all residents, regardless of their specific neighborhood affiliation, feel encouraged to participate.

“We noticed that while holiday donations pour in generously, contributions tend to taper off during the winter months, leaving many in need,” said LaBauve. “Last year alone, we received nearly 12,000 pounds of food through this initiative.”

To participate, residents can drop off nonperishable items at designated donation boxes throughout town, clearly marked for either the East or West side. Alternatively, donations can be delivered directly to the food cupboard. Monetary contributions are also welcomed, with each dollar donated equivalent to one pound of food.

Throughout the competition, weekly updates will be posted on social media platforms to track progress and fuel friendly rivalries. LaBauve noted that appointing a neighborhood representative to coordinate donations and rally support among residents often proves effective in maximizing contributions.

“Beyond the thrill of competition, the Battle of the Neighborhoods reinforces the strong sense of community and solidarity that defines South Portland,” LaBauve said. “Ultimately, it’s about neighbors coming together to support our shared mission of aiding those in need.”

“We are going to do 25,000-30,000 pounds of food in these three months,” Welch said. “One of the things we ask people to do is donate a favorite food. There is somebody out there in that line that would love that awesome treat. You see a glow come on their face. They are praying, ‘don’t anybody take it’ as they wait in line. When they get it, they are just so thrilled to have that treat. Something they just couldn’t afford to buy. Those are items we love to see, that special treat.”

The rules:

Donate: Any nonperishable, nutritional food, canned good, such as rice, beans, mac ‘n cheese, peanut butter.

Do not donate: Bottled water, soft drinks, extra large containers (ex: gallon jars mayonnaise or ketchup), food that is expired.

Participants can also donate money. Every $1 equals 1 pound of food. Please mark checks or donation with East or West.

For more information on how to get involved, residents can visit the food cupboard’s headquarters at 130 Thadeus St., South Portland, or visit southportlandfoodcupboard.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drop off nonperishables, clearly marked if they’re for team East or West, at the following locations: Night Moves Bread, Evergreen Credit Union, Broadway Variety, Bangor Savings Bank, Town & Country Federal Credit Union, Maine Bath Savings Institution, Cookie Jar Bakery/Maine Deb’s Sandwich Shop, Norway Savings Bank, Scratch Baking Co., Broadway Gardens Greenhouses Inc., Two Fat Cats Bakery, Saco and Biddeford Savings.

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