LYAC steps up to help combat Lewiston food insecurity

LEWISTON — After learning more about food insecurity within the Lewiston community, and the fact that 1 in 5 Maine children are food insecure, members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council wanted to step up and try to make a difference.
The LYAC has established “Community Connections . . . LYAC Fighting Food Insecurity,” and will donate and raise money to buy food St. Mary’s Nutrition Center isn’t always able to provide the 550 families a week that it serves, namely tomatoes, cassava leaves, plantain, bananas, oranges and eggs.
LYAC will have a table at the center’s Friday, May 14, outdoor food distribution at 208 Bates St., Lewiston, with a variety of healthy food for individuals to pick up. Food offerings will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The effort comes after the group recently learned about local efforts and initiatives to address the need for access to healthy foods and has met with staff members from the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center & the Good Food Council of LA. Of particular interest was the fact that the food pantry, together with community partners, serves approximately 550 families a week.
“Food Insecurity is prominent in Lewiston,” said LYAC Chair Hope Rubito. “LYAC sees that and we want to contribute in any way possible to help those in need. Lewiston is our community, our home, and seeing our community members struggling with something like access to food is saddening and we’d like to combat that in any way we can.”
Anyone who would like to contribute may write a check payable to the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and mail it to: LYAC, c/o City Administrator’s Office, Lewiston City Hall, 27 Pine St., Lewiston, ME 04240.