Gardiner Elks Lodge 1293 recently donated $1,500 to the Food For Thoughts Program, headed by pastor Ted Chaffee of Gardiner’s First Baptist Church. This program helps families in need by sending home backpacks filled with food for the students for the weekend.

The program was founded by pastor Bill Wade five years ago, it started out feeding 25 to 35 Gardiner elementary school students. Now it provides food for more than 105 students and has expanded to include the middle and high schools.

The program is funded by donations and costs approximately $25,000 a year. It has 30 volunteers who come in and prepare the backpacks for delivery to the schools of School Administrative District 11.

Volunteers and donations are needed. For more information, call the First Baptist Church in Gardiner at 582-4747.


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