December 2, 2020
Dear YCAN friend,
As 2020 comes to a close, we would like to update you on several YCAN efforts over the past year. YCAN has continued to work on our mission: to connect people in Yarmouth with needed resources and build community by encouraging volunteerism and collaborating with other community-based groups when appropriate. Many of our programs look different in 2020 due to the pandemic.
In this unprecedented year, we have collaborated with the Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force to make Covid information available and address needs related to the pandemic in our community. More information about the task force can be found on the Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force facebook page, BeWellYarmouth.org, and this website.
YCAN continues to work to alleviate local food insecurity. The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry serves approximately 70 families. The pantry is open every Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 until noon and has initiated weekly deliveries to a small number of patrons. The Food Pantry coordinates the delivery of monthly Senior food boxes, along with the preparation and distribution of Thanksgiving and Project Holiday food baskets. Please visit the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry Facebook page or the YCAN website for an updated list of items most needed at the Food Pantry. In collaboration with Yarmouth Community Services and Yarmouth Schools, YCAN and the pantry support the efforts of Lunch Crunch, a program aimed at addressing summertime food insecurity for school-age children, and the Nutrition Closet, a program aimed at addressing weekend food insecurity for school-age children. YCAN further supported local school families with food resources this past spring when schools closed as a result of the pandemic.
As the cold weather sets in, YCAN’s Operation Bundle Up is in need of clean, gently-used winter coats, hats, gloves/ mittens and boots for children and adults. We have drop-off boxes at the Merrill Memorial Library and Yarmouth Community Services. YCAN has also continued to support the fuel assistance fund and weatherization projects for those in need. Each winter, YCAN is part of a community-wide collaboration which provides for the distribution of holiday gifts to Yarmouth children in need through the generous support of local Project Holiday sponsors.
Yarmouth Aging in Place continues to offer services and support from our Southern Maine Agency on Aging Resource Specialist Zany Holman. Zany is available every Tuesday and Thursday at (207) 835-9866 or SMAAResource@Yarmouth.me.us. This year we are offering Phone Pals to seniors who would like a regular friendly chat, providing connection especially during these challenging times. Virtual programs are available through Zany as well. Sidewalk shovelers are also available. Watch for our Senior e-newsletter to keep you connected.
The Rides for seniors program has been suspended as we wait for it to become safe to resume the program. If you would like to volunteer to be a driver in the future, please email ycan@ycan.info
Please reach out if you or a loved one needs services or would like to volunteer. Learn more about how you can become involved with YCAN using the menu on this website (on the left side on computers, or under the three horizontal line “hamburger menu” on tablets and phones).
On behalf of our Board of Directors, stay well and happy holidays!
Sincerely,
The YCAN Board of Directors
Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors 