NSB Contributes $1,500 to Fryeburg’s Sunshine Backpack Food Program

FRYEBURG—High costs in living expenses have placed a tremendous burden on families, and with it, an increase in the number of families in need of assistance.

“We anticipate the needs for families will be even greater in the 2026-27 school year,” said Jane Lounsbury.

With a motto of ‘No Child is Hungry’ and a drive to make it a reality, the Sunshine Backpack Food Program aims to ensure that children in need in MSAD 72 (Fryeburg, Brownfield, Denmark, Sweden, Lovell, Stoneham, Stow, and Chatham, New Hampshire) receive weekly bags of food for weekends and vacation weeks. The program began in 2013 and gradually increased from serving a handful of students in one school to assisting over 130 children across the eight towns last year.

Jane is the treasurer of the program and, along with a group of volunteers, gathers each week in Fryeburg to store, bag, and prepare packages of ready-to-eat, shelf-stable, food. It’s arduous work, but its meaning inspires the participants: giving children (kindergarten through eighth grade) healthy food to eat between the end of school Friday and Monday morning.

“The bags contain breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with larger bags sent home for school vacations and the offering of special treats at holidays,” she said. 

This week, Norway Savings happily continued its longtime support of the program with a new $1,500 contribution.

“This program is run entirely by volunteers and funded by community donations, fundraising activities, and grants. The impact is remarkable, and NSB could not be more grateful for all that they do for the community and children in need,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings.

“NSB’s generous contributions through the years have considerably helped our efforts to alleviate food insecurity for the children of this community,” said Jane. “We are very thankful for Norway Savings’ support and involvement in the local community.”

There are so many ways to lend the Sunshine Backpack Food Program and its beneficiaries a helping hand. To learn more, visit www.sunshinebackpacks.org or call 207-256-3031.