Holiday gifts for local families

Every year, I receive at least a few requests from individuals or groups at USM for opportunities to "adopt" a family and provide holiday gifts and/or food for them.  I am pleased to say that such an opportunity is available though our longstanding partnership with the Parkside Neighborhood Center, just a couple of blocks from our Portland campus and at home in the most densely populated, diverse, and economically challenged square mile in the state of Maine.   If you're interested, please contact Rachel Horton White, Parkside Neighborhood Center Director, rachel.white@opportunityalliance.org.

 

Yours, in the spirit of generosity,

ATM

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Volunteers sought for BountyShare

Medical students from Tufts living and working at Maine Medical Center have founded BountyShare, a food rescue charity based out of Portland to collect donations of food excess from local vendors for use to feed Portland's hungry, in partnership with Preble Street Soup Kitchen.   USM students are invited to help carry out this important work. The time commitment is entirely individual and can be based around students' schedules; ideally a day a week to be available to make a pick up from a donor.  There will also be quarterly BountyShare Nights at the soup kitchen to allow volunteers to see first hand the good they do. There are also opportunities in administrative work, including organization of food drives, website upkeep, volunteer coordination, and donor relations.

 

Interested students should contact BountyShare founder Jason Hine directly at jfhine@gmail.com.  -ATM

 

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Adam Tuchinsky on "Maine Calling" today at 12:15

Our own Adam Tuchinsky, Associate Professor of History and Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, will be a featured guest on Maine Public Radio's news and information show, "Maine Calling" today at 12:15 PM.  The topic is Charitable Giving, and Dean Tuchinsky will be speaking about "Thoughtful Giving," the grant-funded course he's teaching this semester in which students study philanthropy and examine various non-profit organizations, selecting one to receive a grant in support of their work.

 

You can listen live at 12:15 by going to www.mpbn.net and clicking on the "Listen Live" link, or on demand at  http://www.mpbn.net/OnDemand/AudioOnDemand/MaineCalling/tabid/288/ctl/ViewItem/mid/4857/ItemId/24837/Default.aspx. 

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

TONIGHT! Alternative Spring Break Info Meeting

It's not to late --yet!-- to join the group shaping up for an exciting and gratifying Alternative Spring Break service experience in March 2013!  You can plan, fund-raise, travel and serve with a group of like-minded students, and have the time of your life!  There's an informational meeting TONIGHT, Wednesday, November 14th at 8:45 in Burnham Lounge, Robie-Andrews Hall, Gorham.  If you're interested but can't get there, e-mail Ali Godbout, the student leader of ASB Student Organization:  allison.godbout@maine.edu.  It'll be a spring break to remember! 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Need Volunteers for Leaf Raking in Gorham

Hello Everybody!

    On Saturday November 17th, we will be helping some of our friendly neighbors in Gorham clean up their yards. If you are interested in joining us, please let us know!
   If you are looking for a quick and simple service project, this is it!

Thanks,

Amanda Maddalone

AmeriCorps VISTA
Program Coordinator
Office of Community Service Learning
University of Southern Maine
(207)780-4679

Food Assistance for Students

We all know that our students struggle financially to meet the expenses of higher education as well as living expenses.  Some may be forced to choose between rent or heat or food, choosing the last on that list last in their budgets, and so cheat themselves of the nutrition they need.  In an effort to relieve some of that stress, our staff has researched and compiled information about food assistance available in the communities surrounding our Portland and Gorham campuses, and posted that information, as well as information about eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as "food stamps") on our web site:

 

http://usm.maine.edu/community/food-support-students

 

Please share this information as appropriate, and help us keep our students well nourished in mind and body!  -ATM

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Raffle to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters

Our valued community partner, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine is raising funds for their important work through a raffle, and you can buy tickets on line.  The winner gets 2 tickets to each of these games:

• Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins – Sun., Dec. 30, 1 p.m. (Section 115, Row 26, Seats 14 & 15)

• Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks – Fri., March 8, 7:30 p.m.(Loge Section, Row 12)

• Red Sox vs. TBD – 2013 Season

• Bruins vs. TBD – 2013 Season (if thee is a season for NHL)

Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $2, available on line at BigSportsRaffle.kintera.org or call 773.KIDS.  

Drawing is Friday, December 21.

For more information, please contact Chantal Wood at Big Brothers Big Sisters:  chantal.wood@somebigs.org

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403