Avesta Housing’s success in helping our residents achieve and maintain housing stability relies heavily on forging strong partnerships. One of our partners, Wayside, has been an invaluable resource for years.
Every Monday from noon to 1 p.m., Wayside staff and volunteers provide community meals accompanied by live music at 409 Cumberland, an Avesta affordable housing community in Portland. Wayside also distributes food to other Avesta properties via its mobile food pantry and grants our staff access to its warehouse for food distribution to residents.
“The importance of bringing food and meals to areas where food insecurity is prevalent cannot be overstated. Simply put, the barriers that many of our residents and neighbors face prohibit them from traveling for food,” said Avesta Housing Resident Services Manager Nick Kjeldgaard. “Free, nutritious food is one of many huge benefits of Wayside’s long-term commitment to helping our neighborhoods.”
A nonprofit founded in the 1980s, Wayside salvages edible food that is not sellable for cosmetic reasons, packaging imperfections, and/or inventory levels from grocery stores, wholesalers, farms, and other food establishments. That food is then redirected to soup kitchens, food pantries, and other social service agencies across southern Maine.
Although the main objective of the community meals program is to provide food to people experiencing food insecurity, they also help build communities by encouraging neighbors to socialize and network, said Wayside Community Programs Manager Emma Berry.
“Everybody’s welcome. We have people who come every week and people who pop in every once in a while,” said Emma. “I think a lot of people can feel isolated, so it’s an opportunity for them to build connections, learn about other resources, and more.”
Because 409 Cumberland is located in the middle of downtown Portland, it’s an ideal spot for community meals, Emma said. Wayside is also looking to provide meals at an Avesta property to be determined in South Portland.
“Avesta has been great to work with,” Emma said. “They really care about building communities.”
