LINCOLN, Maine – The backseat of a police car usually brings to mind negative experiences, like arrests. But last Friday, the Lincoln Police Department turned that perception around.
In partnership with Regional School Unit 67, Mattanawcook Academy’s student resource officer, Rebecca Peters, organized a “Stuff the Cruiser” event. The aim was simple: gather donations to start a food pantry for local families. Peters had wanted to do this for some time. “I’ve seen it done with school buses and thought, why not a police cruiser?” she said.
The need in the community is real. Heidi Smith, an educational technician who works with special needs students, shared that the school is already assisting around 40 families. “Why doesn’t Mattanawcook have a food pantry?” she wondered. After years of trying to set one up without success, she decided to take action.
The outpouring of support was heartening. “The donations will allow us to help even more families,” Peters explained. “Many families are already benefiting from our efforts, and this will expand our reach.”
Students joined the fun by holding signs and donation jars, making the event lively. “It’s great to see them engaged and enjoying the community spirit,” Peters added.
Interestingly, food insecurity is a pressing issue. According to a recent report from Feeding America, 1 in 8 people in the U.S. face hunger. Many schools across the country are stepping up, creating pantries to support their students. The drive in Lincoln aligns with this trend, adjusting to the reality many families face today.
Both Peters and Smith expressed hope for future events. “After such a successful kick-off, we’d love to do this a few times a year,” Peters stated.
If you missed the event on Friday, you can still help. Donations are being collected at the Lincoln Walmart throughout the weekend.
For more information on food assistance programs, you can visit Feeding America.
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