KITTERY, ME – Kennebunk Savings is making a multi-year $100,000 commitment to Mainspring, the new facility and partnership between the nonprofits Fair Tide and Footprints Food Pantry. A former medical office is being renovated at 22 Shapleigh Road in Kittery to house the new one-stop social services site.
“When people seek out social services, there is often a sort of ‘scavenger hunt’ they are forced to contend with,” said Megan Shapiro Ross, Executive Director of Footprints Food Pantry. “In our current system, obtaining basic needs can feel like a second full-time job for individuals living on low incomes. Mainspring will reduce the barriers and improve access to assistance.”
“It’s a collection of really good, effective ideas,” said Bradford C. Paige, the Bank’s President and CEO. “Not just making all of these services available in one location, but creating a truly welcoming environment in that location as well. The new pantry will have the same design and set-up as any grocery store, and there will also be a planned thrift shop onsite. There will be ease, respect, and dignity in the experience – important parts of life that we can sometimes take for granted.” Plans also include a commissary kitchen focusing on senior meals and offering nutrition and cooking classes.
The Bank’s financial commitment of $100,000 will be disbursed in two installments over 2023 and 2024. “This is coming at a critical time,” said Emily Flinkstrom, Executive Director of Fair Tide. “There is a growing need for these services in the Seacoast.” The completed facility will also house representatives from several other agencies and programs, including York County Community Action Corporation, WIC, adult education, municipal general assistance, legal aid, fuel assistance programs, Seacoast Outright, and more.
“At Kennebunk Savings, through our Community Promise program, we’ve worked to alleviate food and housing insecurity in the community for many years,” observed Lex Meagher, the Bank’s Senior EVP, Commercial Credit Officer. “And this new commitment to the Mainspring project is a big step up at an important time that we’re really proud of. We hope that other businesses will see the value in this project and support the remainder of Mainspring’s capital campaign.”
Photo caption: [from left] Emily Flinkstrom, Executive Director of Fair Tide; Megan Shapiro Ross, Executive Director of Footprints Food Pantry; Liz Torrance, VP, Social Responsibility Manager, Kennebunk Savings; Bradford C. Paige, President & CEO, Kennebunk Savings, pictured inside the facility at 22 Shapleigh Rd. in Kittery, Maine.
