Rotary Club Of Belfast Maine Charitable Fund

100 Fund: Waldo County is economically challenged and is noticeable less wealthy than its neighboring coastal communities and proverty disproportionately affects the region's children. More than 1 in 4 children under age 5 (27%) are living in poverty, much higher than the overall county rate of 16%. Two out of three households headed by single mothers of children under five are poor (66%). The 100 fund provides gift cards of $150 per child to families identified for the program to purchase boots, cothing and toys at local stores for Christmas.

Food Banks: Every day more people go hungry in Maine than in any other New England state. Nationwide, Maine is ranked as the seventh most food insecure, a designation that means residents lack access to the quantity and quality of food necessary for an active, healthy lifestyle. These numbers mean that 16% of the state's population is food insecure, including one out of every 5 children, according to data release in September 2017 by the US Department of Agriculture. In Waldo county the rate of food insecurity is 17.7%. Belfast Rotary makes a commitment each year to support the seven food pantries in Waldo County to reduce food insecurity in our communities.