Sweetser News & Events

Sweetser Students Help to Feed the Hungry

Posted on 10/20/2006 at 12:00 am

Middle and high school students from The School at Sweetser recently participated in “Feed the Hungry,” a community service project in which the students plant and cultivate vegetables over the course of the summer and donate what they grow to the Bon Appetit meal program in Biddeford. Pictured is Jane Maloney, director of Bon Appetit, Cheryl Bugbee, Sweetser teacher and Nick, Sweetser student.

This unique project began several years ago, when teachers from The School—Dave Puff, Susan Schofield, and Cheryl Bugbee—became involved in supporting an organic garden. The staff members became connected to the well known Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and wanted to share their knowledge with the students as part of the classroom experience.

The students commit to the hard work of weeding and cultivating—rain or shine—and participate through volunteer, community service and job placement opportunities.

With the support of the residential staff members who help to water the gardens on school vacations, this endeavor is made possible.

With a history dating back to 1828, Sweetser is Maine’s most comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families. Sweetser offers services that address emotional disturbances, mental illnesses, behavioral disorders and learning disabilities through an array of educational programs, preventive services, community-based support services and residential services.

Contact: Celeste Viger, Director of Government & Public Relations, cviger@sweetser.org, 294-4454 or 604-0610