Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program has been selected as a Lowe’s Hometowns project, one of 100 community-nominated, large-scale renovations chosen nationally that will revitalize nonprofit and community spaces serving as hubs and heartbeats for hometowns. Now in its fourth year, Lowe’s Hometowns is the company’s five-year, $100 million commitment to repairing and restoring millions of square feet of community space.

The $95,000 grant will enable MCHPP to renovate its main food pantry and soup kitchen. Work will include installation of ADA-compliant doors, entrance improvements, resealing of floors, bathroom renovations, interior paint, installation of a covered shelter outside the soup kitchen for inclement weather, replacement of heat pumps, and installation of a new deli case and food storage cooler. Grant funds remaining at the end of the project may be used to purchase décor, storage and other items that beautify or make the renovated space more functional.

“Our mission is to offer dignity and empowerment by providing all members of our community with access to healthy food,” MCHPP Executive Director Hannah Chatalbash said in a prepared release. “We believe that everyone deserves to access their meals and groceries from a welcoming and well-designed space that values quality, nutrition and inclusion. The renovations to our food pantry and soup kitchen made possible by the Lowe’s Hometowns grant will help us to shift the public perception of standards of service that can be provided to underserved populations. This project will not only improve accessibility, inclusion and independence for our mobility-impaired and older adult guests, but also raise the public standard of what can and should be provided in our community for all.”

MCHPP’s project is one of three selected in Maine to receive a Lowe’s Hometowns grant, in addition to Preble Street and Milestone Recovery.