We are Mainers from Waldo County and  across the state who have experience in building a movement for change. In this time of crisis, the Maine People's Alliance is organizing resources supporting community-based efforts to respond to the community distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. Our current priority is to mitigate growing food insecurity due to the pandemic in an already food insecure part of the state, where approximately 70% of school children qualify for free breakfast and lunches. Because of school closures and an emphasis on bag lunches, plans for school and community gardens that typically provide food pantries and surrounding neighbors with fresh produce have come to a halt. Mainers Together Waldo County will use funding to purchase seedlings, soil amendments, technical assistance and other supplies to distribute within and among Waldo's network of school and community-based gardens and neighbors interested in growing / harvesting food.