What is the Portland Public Schools (PPS) Food Fund? 

The PPS Food Fund is a collaboration of the Foundation for PPS and Food Fuels Learning (FFL) and is made possible through generous donations by the community. The PPS Food Fund was established to provide community members the opportunity to invest in grassroots, school-based projects that build food security for PPS students and their families.​

DONATE

​PPS Food Fund Grant Applications Open August 24

How do I know if I can apply?
Please review this Request for Proposals for comprehensive information and details about the PPS Food Fund and application process.

All applicants must illustrate that the proposed project falls within these criteria:  Project Area: within the Portland Public School District Age Range: families with children or PPS students Project Reach: more than a single family unit Project must be related to immediate and/or long-term food security

What is the grant range?
Grants are available between $500-$1500

​Questions?
If you have questions about the application or PPS Food Fund, please contact zoe@ccfoodsecurity.org.

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Ready to Apply?

Before applying, please review this Request for Proposals. 

Then, submit your application by completing the online form below by September 30, 2026.

Application form

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​How to Donate

A secure online contribution can be made here:

Donate to the pps food fund

Checks should be made payable to:
Foundation for Portland Public Schools (or FPPS)
353 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
Attn: Jeanine Bischoff
In the memo line, please write:
​PPS Food Fund

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​PPS Food Fund Grantees 

Fall 2025 Grantees ($10,000 granted in total)

• Portland High School BEACH Classroom
• Deering High School Alternative Education
• Lyman Moore Middle School Food Pantry
• Deering High School Social Studies
• East End Head Start & Locker Project
• East End Community School ESOL
• Lincoln Middle School Sustainability Program
• Casco Bay High School French Program
• Food For All Services ​ 

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Spring & Summer 2021 Grantees ($11,850 granted in total)

• Unified Asian Communities - Theresa Kim
• PPS Social Workers - Maureen Clancy
• Presente Maine - Crystal Cron  
• Breathe Program - Elizabeth Sommo
• Cumberland County Head Start - Kelly Donohoe
• Cafeteria at Rowe Elementary School  & East End Community School - Jessica Puzak & Ailish Dennigan
• Greater Portland Family Promise - Michelle Lamm​

Spring 2023 Grantees ($7,850 granted in total)

• Locker Project
• Presente Maine
• East End, Rowe, & Lyseth Gardens
• Talbot & East End Community Schools​
• King Middle School 
• Portland & Deering High School ESOL
• Ndebanje's Food Ministry
• Presumpscot Elementary School Pantry
• Greater Portland Family Promise
• FoodCorps/Cultivating Community
• Unified Asian Communities​​

Spring & Summer 2020 Emergency Grantees
($28,783.40 granted in total)

• The Locker Project - Kathryn Sargent
• PPS Food Service - Jane McLucas  
• PPS Social Workers - Susan Wiggin  
• Cultivating Community - Lily Chaleff  
• East End Community School  - Naila Wissa  
• Food For All Services - Khadija Ahmed  
• FoodCorps - Rachel Solomon  
• Presente Maine - Crystal Cron​

Spring 2022 Grantees ($17,750 granted in total)

• Deering High School Extended Learning Opportunities
• The Locker Project
• Cumberland County Head Start
• Unified Asian Communities
• Portland Public Schools Multilingual Office
• Presente Maine
• Greater Portland Family Promise
• Talbot Community School Garden
• Lyman Moore Middle School Social Studies​

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Fall 2019 Grantees ($900 granted in total)

• King Food Pantry - Becky Bell 
• Talbot (Riverton) Elemenary School - Alison Richards  
• Casco Bay High School - Nancy Berang