What originally started more than a decade ago in Windham as a small faith formation effort has resulted in the collection of thousands of snack items to assist area residents in need through the years.
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| 'Operation summer Snacks,' a program collecting snacks for children, families and elderly residents in need, is back for its 11th year in Windham. The program gathered more than 10,000 individually packaged snack items for donation to the Windham Food Pantry last year and hopes to exceed that amount again in 2026. COURTESY PHOTO |
Jill Russell-Morey, a parish catechetical leader who helped launch the program in 2016, says “Operation Summer Snacks” remains as relevant today as when it started.
“This is the 11th year we will be collecting snacks for the Windham Food Pantry,” Russell-Morey said. “As many families still continue to struggle, it's crucial we continue to support our neighbors and help fight food insecurity in the community.”
She said thanks to the community’s generosity, last year’s 10th anniversary program goal of collecting 10,000 snacks was exceeded.
“This year we are again hoping to collect 10,000 individually wrapped non-perishable snacks,” she said.
When the program started in 2016, the aim was to collect 1,000 nutritious treats for children in the community. It has been so successful that eventually snacks were also made available for families and elderly community members as well.
According to Russell-Morey, suggested donations for the public to make to the program are applesauce pouches, cracker packs, fruit cups, raisin boxes, granola bars, pretzel packs, juice boxes or pouches, cereal bars, pudding cups, popcorn or cheese puffs and gluten-free or nut-free snacks.
Items donated must be kept in their original packaging so that expiration dates are visible.
Donations can be dropped off at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, through August by the Faith Formation bulletin board outside the parish hall. Items may also be dropped off or shipped to 9 Thornbury Way in Windham.
“Interested people can also have donations directly shipped to my house from Walmart and Sam’s Club,” said Russell-Morey. “We receive several donations that way each year.”
Monetary donations are also welcome by cash or checks payable to Jill Russell-Morey, or by Venmo to Nealie-Morey10 and “Operation Summer Snacks” program volunteers will do the shopping for you.
“The community we live in is amazing and the parishioners and supporters always help when needed,” Russell-Morey said. “The Holy Spirit continues to touch and work through people which provides great hope.”
The program intends to continue buying and donating snacks for the Windham Food Pantry through the beginning of August.
This summer, the rate of food insecurity in Maine and especially among families with children is at an all-time high. Federal reductions to SNAP benefits for low-income families, combined with sustained high costs for food, housing, and other essentials, continue to strain household budgets across the state.
Starting in October 2026, Maine must cover 75 percent of SNAP administrative costs up from the previous 50 percent split. More than 13,000 Mainers lost SNAP food assistance this spring resulting from federal eligibility changes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics for 2026 show that Maine has the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in New England, with one in five kids unsure of where their next meal will come from.
For further details about the “Operation Summer Snacks” program in Windham, send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or call 207-653-9898. <
She said thanks to the community’s generosity, last year’s 10th anniversary program goal of collecting 10,000 snacks was exceeded.
“This year we are again hoping to collect 10,000 individually wrapped non-perishable snacks,” she said.
According to Russell-Morey, suggested donations for the public to make to the program are applesauce pouches, cracker packs, fruit cups, raisin boxes, granola bars, pretzel packs, juice boxes or pouches, cereal bars, pudding cups, popcorn or cheese puffs and gluten-free or nut-free snacks.
Items donated must be kept in their original packaging so that expiration dates are visible.
Donations can be dropped off at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, through August by the Faith Formation bulletin board outside the parish hall. Items may also be dropped off or shipped to 9 Thornbury Way in Windham.
“Interested people can also have donations directly shipped to my house from Walmart and Sam’s Club,” said Russell-Morey. “We receive several donations that way each year.”
Monetary donations are also welcome by cash or checks payable to Jill Russell-Morey, or by Venmo to Nealie-Morey10 and “Operation Summer Snacks” program volunteers will do the shopping for you.
“The community we live in is amazing and the parishioners and supporters always help when needed,” Russell-Morey said. “The Holy Spirit continues to touch and work through people which provides great hope.”
The program intends to continue buying and donating snacks for the Windham Food Pantry through the beginning of August.
This summer, the rate of food insecurity in Maine and especially among families with children is at an all-time high. Federal reductions to SNAP benefits for low-income families, combined with sustained high costs for food, housing, and other essentials, continue to strain household budgets across the state.
Starting in October 2026, Maine must cover 75 percent of SNAP administrative costs up from the previous 50 percent split. More than 13,000 Mainers lost SNAP food assistance this spring resulting from federal eligibility changes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics for 2026 show that Maine has the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in New England, with one in five kids unsure of where their next meal will come from.
For further details about the “Operation Summer Snacks” program in Windham, send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or call 207-653-9898. <
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