Students in Southport Central School’s fifth and sixth grades have been presented with a wonderful opportunity - to engage in a philanthropy project sponsored by the Southport General Store. The students have been challenged with looking beyond themselves and their immediate needs, to organizations worthy of financial support from this philanthropy project. Funds have been set aside in an account, allowing students to access $2,000 annually, over the course of many years, as the goal is to build this project over time.

Mrs. Julie Browne, the teacher of the fifth and sixth grade students, incorporated this project into the students’ finance and economics unit taught this spring. The students were taxed with learning about what non-profit means before they began their research. They spent a considerable amount of time looking into the multitude of non-profit organizations in our state, and beyond. Mrs. Browne required the students to research the mission and vision of each organization, as well as to find what percentage of donations supported each organization directly, as well as what percentage goes to administrative costs. This proved to be eye-opening to the students.

After gathering the necessary information, each child was to choose the non-profit they wished to support, put their findings in writing, and then present their case to adults and other students in the school. The chosen organizations were varied in their mission, as well as geographical impact: global, nation-wide, the state of Maine, and regional organizations. Following each presentation, an anonymous vote was taken and the Boothbay Region Community Fridge was chosen as the recipient of this year’s $2,000 donation.

As found on their website, the Community Fridge is an entity under the Community Resource Council, which serves to support people in our communities in need, whether that be with addiction, food insecurity, or home heating, to name a few. The Community Fridge is located on the grounds of the Boothbay Town Office and is available 24/7 to anyone in need. As found on their website, the goal of the Community Fridge is to increase access to healthy food and reduce the stigma that can be associated with food insecurity. One of the reasons fifth grader Fiona Bishop chose to focus on this organization is because it provides support for people around the clock, and without any administrative costs, as all the money will go directly into purchasing non-perishables by volunteers.

We worked with Director of Operations of the Community Fridge Holly Stover to arrange to make the presentation.

The donors of this philanthropy project offer this multi-year program for Southport Central School’s students and teachers to define and implement a program that could build-on in support of our community. The goal is to reinforce the sense of purpose with hopes of embedding it in the minds of students and community the benefits of repeating philanthropy. Should you feel inspired to consider this or a similar project, you are encouraged to contact administration in your respective school district.