Have you noticed that ‘LuLu the Lunch Wagon’ has been around town more than usual these past couple of months?Healthy Lincoln County (HLC) is excited to announce the launch of Community Routes, a new mobile outreach program bringingfood, basic need items,and risk reduction supplies directly to our community in Lincoln County.  

While LuLu is best known for delivering thousands of free meals to kids each summer,she’sbeen hard at work this winter helping launch Community Routes.This program brings the two branches of HLC’s work together forming a bridge between our substance useand food security programs.  

With generous funding from the Charlesview Foundation, HLCdesignedCommunity Routes to meet the unique needs of the county and aid in filling transportation gaps in accessing services. The goal is to meet our neighbors where they are-- recognizing thateveryone’s situation is different,whetherthey’restruggling to feed their family,staywarm, or access support.Community Routes brings essential goods directly to community members on a monthly rotating basis, including individuals and families impacted by substance use or mental health concerns.More information about HLC’s risk reduction efforts will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Community Routes can also be found at free community pop-up events. To date, events have been held in Waldoboro, Wiscasset and Damariscotta. At a pop-up, HLC welcomes all community members to take what they can use and leave what they can share. HLC always brings a variety of hygiene supplies, supplemental food, risk reduction supplies, seasonal clothing items, and a few other fun surprises from the stock of goods available for free at these events. Community partners often join the pop-up events, bringing their services and other essential goods. The model of ‘neighbors-helping-neighbors' quickly emerged as community members brought in new or gently used items to donate while choosing items they could use.  

Our next pop-up event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Holistic Recovery Centerlocated at 132 Main Street in Whitefield. 

Community Routes is made possible through strong partnerships with Lincoln County Recovery Community Center as well as Main Street Grocery, Renys Department Stores,Community Navigators, People to People Clothing Exchange,Healthy Lincoln County’s Youth Advisory Board, and many generous community members who have donated food, goods, time, and energy to support the program.  

To learn more about Community Routes, how to get involved, or support the program, emailoutreach@healthylincolncounty.orgor visit healthylincolncounty.org 

About Healthy Lincoln County 

Healthy Lincoln County (HLC) is a project of MCD Global Health with services offered to community members in Lincoln County, Maine. HLC provides support and resources to meet health needs, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community connections across Lincoln County. Learn more at https://www.healthylincolncounty.org/.