Partnering with District 207 to Raise Funds for its COVID-19 Emergency Fund

By Anna Schmeltz, Maine 207 Communications Department Intern 

The Maine 207 Foundation partnered with District 207’s launch of a fundraising campaign to help local families that have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. A week after schools were closed due to the outbreak in March, it became apparent that as schools prepared for virtual learning, they also needed to ensure that all students were having their basic needs met.

In addition to providing free meals to families twice each week, District 207 started a fundraising campaign that has been providing District 207 families in need with $50 gift cards to local stores like Jewel-Osco, Walmart, Aldi and Target. For families most in need, they have received multiple gift cards. The gift cards have been a major assistance to the families. All have shared their appreciation and gratitude for the gift cards and many have shared that they don’t know what they would have done without that assistance.

The Maine 207 Foundation provided $5,000 to the effort, as well as almost $500 in gift cards which had been donated by local businesses to the Foundation’s benefit dinner raffle that was cancelled due to the pandemic. In addition, the Foundation provided a way for donors to support the district’s fundraising through the Maine 207 Foundation website where more than $17,000 was collected and provided to the effort.

The fundraising campaign launch was very successful, thanks to the many organizations affiliated with the school district, especially the Maine 207 Foundation. So far, the campaign has raised more than $97,000 to support District 207 families during these unprecedented times. Approximately $65,000 of the funds have already been distributed to families and the distribution will continue into the school year … as long as funds are available.

The District created a video about the program that can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhAt73-3ud4&feature=youtu.be

To donate to the effort, visit the Maine 207 Foundation's donate page.