FAM's COVID Solidarity Program Delivers Meals to Bangor Teachers

With the help of nearly 30 volunteers, Food and Medicine distributed 676 meals from 14 local restaurants, along with a marigold seedling that was grown in their onsite greenhouse, to each Bangor Schools teacher, cafeteria worker, janitorial staff, counselor, office staff and more. School workers have had it especially tough these past two years and FAM members said they were happy to show them our appreciation. FAM’s staff are members of UAW 2320.

“The BEA appreciates the support of Food AND Medicine in recognizing the dedication of the Bangor School Department staff in providing a strong academic program as well as meeting the emotional and social needs of the students of Bangor during the pandemic," said Bangor Education Association President Kimberly McNutt. "Food service, custodians, educational technicians and teachers all rose above the challenges with compassion and care.”

This event was held in partnership with the Eastern Maine Labor Council, Maine Education Association and Bangor Education Association. 

The Bangor-based nonprofit has already done several meal distributions as part of their COVID Solidarity program. Recipients have included:

• Bus riders at Pickering Square,
• Bangor bus drivers (ATU Local 714),
• Bangor Fleet Maintenance workers (AFT Local 6071),
• Health care workers at Bangor Nursing & Rehab (ATU Local 5093),
• Construction workers putting up the new bus depot in Pickering Square (not unionized, but maybe someday).
• Striking Bath Iron Workers shipbuilders (IAM Local S6) members in 2020.
• Portland Museum of Art workers (MSEA-SEIU 1989)

In total, over the two years of the COVID Solidarity program, it has purchased 3,321 meals from 26 restaurants. If you would like to contribute to FAM’s COVID Solidarity Fund, so that it can continue to put on events like this in the future you can do that here.