Caribou Middle School 8th Graders Fill Pines Health Services Community Cupboard With Non Perishable Food

Caribou Middle School 8th Graders Fill Pines Health Services Community Cupboard With Non Perishable Food
Pictured above (L-R) is Lisa Caron, Pines Chief Operating Officer, Lisa Michaud, Phlebotomist & Parent of an 8th grade student and Dr. Sherri Dumont, Pines Medical Director and Parent of an 8th grade student surrounded by 8th grade students from Mrs. Holly Rhinebolt’s who organized and delivered several boxes to a community food cupboard located at Pines Health Services, 74 Access Highway in Caribou, ME.
Caribou, Maine – Community groups and social organizations often host food drives to fill local food pantry shelves this time of year. A kind gesture sparked interest from the students in Mrs. Holly Rhinebolt’s 8th grade class, who organized a food drive and delivered multiple boxes of non-perishable food items, which filled the Pines Health Services community food cupboard.

“The need for food in our community has never been greater. This food drive allowed us to fill this small food insecurity gap and teach the kids a valuable lesson on the importance of giving to others in need, a lesson that they will remember for years to come. Additionally, the kids had a really great time going to the grocery store, reading labels, hand picking items that were nutritional and helpful to have on hand in a pantry and delivering the items purchased to Pines where they were carefully placed by the students. With the vast amount of food that was collected by the students, we were also were able to donate to Catholic Charities and the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen. Concurrently the students also organized a toy drive, so we were able to deliver several toys to the Caribou Fire Department for their toy drive. I hope this experience has opened their eyes to continue giving back and being kind,” Said Holly Rhinebolt, 8th Grade Teacher at Caribou Middle School.

According to Feeding America Map the Meal Gap, Aroostook County has the highest rate of food insecurity at 16 percent. With a population of over 69,000 residents residing in the County, that equates to over 11,000 individuals who do not have a reliable food source and worry where their next meal may come from. Although food insecurity has fallen nationwide, Maine still ranks third among states for highest rates of hunger.

“As a Community Health Center, our cupboard doors are always open to children and families in the area, regardless if they are a patient at our health center. It is so incredible and very generous of Mrs. Rhinebolt and her class to organize and undertake the responsibility of a food drive,” said Casey Bouchard, Communications & Community Relations for Pines Health Services and Cary Medical Center.

“Every single item that was placed in that cupboard will greatly help those in need. Every box of cereal, packet of rice and package of pasta will make a difference to fight against hunger. Our team is so proud of Mrs. Rhinebolt’s students for their kindness and willingness to help those who are less fortunate. Their energy and positivity filling the cupboard was so great to see, I hope they know how great of an impact they have made in their community,” said Bouchard.