Connecting with Your Community Community strategies to employ during the COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way that food banks and food pantries operate and serve their communities. Need is being felt much more deeply during COVID-19 as more and more Mainers are impacted by lay-offs, furloughs, or reduced hours, and families with school-aged children who used to receive free or re- duced breakfast and/or lunch now have to supply 5-10 more meals per child per week than they did before the pandemic closed schools and daycares. These are stressful times for food insecure Mainers, and our network is seeing more and more people who have never needed assistance before.

Along with the challenges presented by the pandemic are opportunities for our network of partners to raise awareness in their communities of the everpresent need for food assistance. We’ve been amazed by the creativity, dedication, and compassion of our network and delighted to hear from you how community members have stepped in with offers of help.

This toolkit is designed to provide our partners with resources that can improve your outreach into your community and may help with some of the unanticipated needs your program has had since the pandemic. If you have discovered new resources, we’d love to share them with the wider network; please be in touch with GSFB! Fund, Friend, and Food-Raising

To address the increased need, some grantors have created separate pools of funding dedicated to COVID-19 response activities and adjusted their grant application process and award time lines to ensure community organizations can access their awards as quickly as possible.

• United Way of Maine: each United Way has created a community based COVID-19 response fund from the United Way in your area. Please visit the link below to find out how to apply for funding: https://www.unitedwaysofmaine.org/covid/.

• New England Grassroots Environmental Fund: this grant is restricted to organizations with a budget of <$100k and no more than 2 full-time staff equivalents. https://grassrootsfund.org/dollars/rapid-response-funding.

If you would like assistance with a grant application, please contact your Community Resource Representative.

If you’ve never established a social media outlet, now is the time. Not only does social media allow you to advertise your needs, it’s where commnity members go to seek information about your hours of operation, what they may need to bring, what the operation looks like, whether you offer home delivery, etc. The more frequently you post, the better, but daily posts aren’t needed to keep your community informed. Facebook: this is a great social media channel to raise awareness on and connect with community members, especially an older audi- ence. Here are several timesaving tricks that will keep your message flowing.

• Using the scheduling feature is a great way to spend a minimal amount of time posting on Facebook. You can write a few posts and schedule when they will go out over the course of the upcoming days. ALWAYS know what content you’re scheduling and be aware of what’s happening in the news. You don’t want to automatically post to publish during a time of active crisis when information can change quickly. • Sample post topics: • Thank volunteers/donors • Share resources from your pantry or other reputable websites: • State of Maine and/or the Governor’s office Fund, Friend, and Food-Raising (Continued)

• Good Shepherd Food Bank • Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) • Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Maine CDC • USDA and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry • Cooking Matters Maine information (share posts) • Ask for help: volunteers needed, list of foods and products needed, transportation, etc. • Share recipes from community members (bonus points for using ingredients from the pantry) • Share images of (receive permission for posting): • Volunteers packing boxes • Volunteers loading cars • Day-to-day activities in the pantry • Community fundraising efforts • A list of pantry needs • Create video on the fly: • Grab a cell phone and shoot some video of: • Distributions (be aware of capturing clients’ cars/faces) • Volunteers prepping a distribution • Pickups from retailers or Good Shepherd Food Bank • Interview staff members or clients (gain permission first) • Share Cooking Matters Maine’s box tips website with your social followers. This site houses instructional videos and recipes using the ingredients found in the pre-packed boxes. https://mailchi.mp/gsfb.org/boxtips.

REMEMBER TO: • Be cautious of posting any images with clients or clients’ cars. • Do not post photos of people who are not practicing social distancing/no-touch or are in a crowd. (You can use older pictures -- prior to CDC social distancing protocols -- to honor a volunteer, for example, but be clear in your post that the picture is older.) • Get permission from someone before taking their picture (written is best). Fund, Friend, and Food-Raising (continued)

For Experienced Facebook Users: • Facebook Pages Manager app should be installed on mobile devices to allow for easier access and constant monitoring of engagement on your page’s posts, photos, videos, etc. • Review Insights data to ensure timely posting. Making the most of your organic reach is key, knowing when your followers are looking at your page is important to making sure your posts are being seen without putting money behind them (boosts or ads).

Instagram: this platform is fantastic for sharing visual content - pictures and some text -- and connecting with a younger audience. We recommend posting here once a day if possible to keep the content fresh.

• Use Facebook’s Creator Studio to schedule Instagram posts. This will help save you time and keep your message flowing. Only schedule about a week ahead of time, and stay aware of what you have publishing on what days, as well as any national or global news. • Research and create a list of hashtags. Save this list to a note on mobile devices for easy access. • Share vibrant and beautiful photos on this platform for increased engagement. • Interact with organizations like yours. Comment, double-tap, share resources, etc. • Follow hashtags that will be important to link to your posts: • #FoodPatries • #FeedingMaine (GSFB’s hashtag) • #FoodPantry • #MainersFeedingMainers • #FoodBank • #MainersHelpingMainers • #FoodInsecurity • #CookingMattersMaine • #GrowingToGive

If you are an experienced Instagram user, try a link tree service to expand your offerings of information. Lnk.bio is a free service that has superb design features when paired with Canva.com (free design service) and will allow you to share multiple links with your followers. Fund, Friend, and Food-Raising (continued)

Twitter: Good Shepherd Food Bank uses this platform to connect with media, both Maine and national/international. This is where you’ll find media most active. There are no limits to tweeting! We tweet, retweet, have conversations, etc. through this platform daily. Out of all the platforms, this one operates at lightning-fast speed and only needs weekly posts to look maintained.

• You are limited on character space, so create an infographic, attach a photo, or add a link to create an attention-getting post. • Use the above hashtags and tag well-followed accounts for increased visibility. • Be sure your privacy settings are set to public. • Follow and interact with others, especially local media. Tweet at them or send them direct messages to supply newsworthy information about your pantry. • Tag Good Shepherd Food Bank for increased visibility and retweets.

Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of managing social media? Now is the time to tap into younger members of your community who are not working or are out of school – high school or college. The good news about social media is you don’t have to be on-site every moment to manage the flow of information. Ask your current corps of volunteers for help. You can also register with Maine Ready for skilled vol- unteers – information appears on page 9 of this toolkit. Fund, Friend, and Food-Raising (continued)

For those who want to contact local media outlets, contact information is below. Don’t forget your local public access channels, which many older citizens may monitor regularly:

• NEWS CENTER Maine – WCSH • NEWS CENTER Maine – WLBZ Portland Phone: (207)828-6666 Bangor Phone: (207)942-4821 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

• WMTW • WABI Phone: (800)248-6397 Phone: (207)947-8321 Email: [email protected] Website: wabi.tv/about – for all contact information • WGME Phone: (207)797-9099 • WVII/Fox Bangor Email: [email protected] Phone: (207)945-6457 x3122 Email: [email protected] • Portland Press Herald Phone: (207)791-6650 or • Bangor Daily News (800)442-6036 Phone: (207)990-8175 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

• Mainebiz • WAGM Phone: (207)761-8379 Phone: (207)764-4461 Website: mainebiz.biz/staff – for all Website: wagmtv.com/station/contact – email addresses for all contact information

• Lewiston Sun Journal • The County – Aroostook Republican, Phone: (207)364-8728 Houlton Pioneer Times, Email: [email protected] The Star-Herald AR Phone: (207)496-3251 • Kennebec Journal HPT Phone: (207)532-2281 Phone: (207)623-3811 SH Phone: (207)768-5431 Website: centralmaine.com/contact – Website: thecounty.me/contact-us – for for all contact information all contact information

• Morning Sentinel Phone: (207)873-3341 Website: centralmaine.com/contact – for all contact information ALTERNATE WAYS TO SOURCE FOOD

Sourcing food for your food pantry or meal site during COVID-19 requires new methods. The traditional food drive isn’t a viable model in the days of social distancing and the need for careful handling of donations. “Virtual food drives” - creating an online food drive with a “shopping list” and “prices” for food or meals - is one way of raising awareness and giving people a tangible way to help. You may also want to establish new partnerships with local food vendors. Here are some suggestions for vendors that may be able to help you bolster your supply of nutritious food.

National and Local Food Distributors Higher education institutions and hospital food service departments typically supply thousands of meals a day for students and patients at their facilities. With schools closed and hospitals restricting non-essential visits, there may be an opportunity to connect with these organizations to source whole products or meals for your programs.

• US Foods: Food vendor for hospitals in York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Oxford, and Franklin Counties. Contact: Ryan Dwyer; (717)554-2219, [email protected] • Sodexo: Food vendor for hospitals in Oxford and Androscoggin Counties, all UMaine campuses except Orono, contact [email protected] • Sysco Northern New England: (207)871-0700 • Native Maine: offering delivery direct to consumers, (207)856-1100 • Dennis Paper and Food Service: Offering to help source in-demand items for local pantries, please call (207)947-0321 to learn more.

Independent Retailers: You may also consider contacting any independently owned grocery stores (i.e. local IGAs) to inquire about purchasing items in bulk through them.

Local Farms: Many local farmers are looking to connect directly with consumers. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has an online map to locate farmers in your community: https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/farm-product-and-pick- up-directory/

Emergency Management Agencies: These agencies may be able to purchase food on your behalf with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), please contact your county EMA for more information: https://www.maine.gov/mema/ ema-community/county-local/county-emergency-management-agencies FINDING VOLUNTEERS

Looking for volunteers? With non-essential businesses currently closed, now is a great time to recruit community volunteers that would otherwise be at work. Here are some organizations that are linking up volunteers with community non-profits.

Maine Ready: A collaboration between the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Maine CDC - Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), and Volunteer Maine. To register your organization for volunteer assistance, visit: https://www.maineready.org/

United Ways of Maine: request volunteers here: http://getconnected.volunteermaine. org/how-to-use-volunteerme/ Supplies to SAFELY DISTRIBUte GROCERIES AND MEALS

Ensuring that your volunteers can safely distribute food to community members is important for both the health and wellbeing of your volunteers/staff and the people you serve. Here are some local resources to help you maintain social distancing requirements at your facility. Once you know what you need, a virtual “Non-food Drive” could helpyou raise funds to purchase items that you don’t normally have to buy.

General: • Face Masks: No-Sew Face Covering, CDC Face Covering Guides • Safe Food Handling: COVID-19 FAQ for Food Banks • Guidance for Safe Home Deliveries: Volunteer Guidance on Safe Deliveries

Distribution Supplies • Uline: for gloves, plastic/paper bags, boxes • Webstaurant Store: for gloves, plastic/paper bags, boxes, to-go containers • Pine Tree Paper: for paper bags, contact Tim, 1-800-734-2274 • Portland Paper Products: for paper bags, contact Jessica; jessica@portlandpaper- products.com ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

There are other programs that families and individuals may be newly eligible for. Here are some details about the federal assistance programs and community-based programs clients may want to utilize.

• School Meals: breakfast and lunch for children 0-18, find participating schools here https://www.maine.gov/doe/meals • Federal Programs for Adults and Families: For up to date information about SNAP, TANF, Unemployment Insurance, General Assistance, Social Security, visit https://maineequaljustice.org/people/covid-19-resources/

(Currently operating programs only; check website or call as changes may be made without notice.) • Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc. (ARTS) Provides a demand-response door-to-door transportation services for the people of Aroostook County. ARTS provides transportation to all towns in Aroostook Coun- ty, as well as Patten/Stacyville in Penobscot County and Danforth in Washington County. This service is currently available free of charge. Call (207)764-4246 or 1-800-442-3320 for more information. • Bangor Area Transportation (BAT) Community Connector Please visit their website for information about routes and fares. Currently only offering rides for essential services such as groceries and medical care. • Brunswick Explorer Available on demand, currently running 4 round trips daily from 8:00 am-4:00 pm around Brunswick. Visit their website for more information about routes and fares. • Citylink: Lewiston/Auburn Buses are operating at half capacity to support social distancing. Please call (207)784-9335 or visit their website for updated schedules. • Downeast Transportation Rides available to Mount Desert Island/Bar Harbor-Ellsworth-Bangor & points throughout Hancock County. Effective Monday, April 13, there are significant changes to the commuter services between Bangor, Brewer, Milbridge, Franklin, Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. Visit their website or call (207)667-5796 for schedule changes. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS (continued)

• Greater Portland Metro Available for essential trips only. Operating on an adjusted schedule. This service is currently available without charge. Visit their website for information about schedule changes. • Regional Transportation Program (RTP): Cumberland County Sunday service suspended and Saturday service reduced. This service is currently available without charge. Call (207)774-2666 for more information. • Kennebec Valley Explorer and Somerset Explorer: Kennebec and Somerset Counties Available on-demand to bring clients to the food pantry or pick-up boxes and deliver food to clients’ homes. For more information, Call (207)622-4761 (Augusta area), (207)859-1500 (Waterville area), or (207)859-2501 (Skowhegan area). • Penquis Lynx: Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset Counties Available on-demand to bring clients to the food pantry to pick-up boxes or visit the grocery store. For more information call (207)973-3695 or email [email protected] • South Portland City Bus Running a reduced schedule. This service is currently offered at no charge. Visit their website for information about adjusted schedules and routes. • Waldo Community Action Program DASH: Rockland, Belfast Available for in-town trips in Rockland and Belfast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm This service is currently offered at no charge. For more information, call (207)338-4769, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. • WAV E: Sanford/Biddeford/Wells Available for essential services. This service is currently offered at no charge. Please call (207)459-2932 for more information. • Western Maine Transportation Network: Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford Counties Available for residents of Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Norway, South Paris, Oxford, Rumford, Mexico, Farmington, Wilton, Jay and Livermore Falls. Please call 1-800-393-9335 selection 1, at least 24 hours in advance (before 4:00 pm) to schedule a ride.