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Norway Nonprofit Helping Students with Clothes Faces Uncertain Future

The Pink Feather Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Norway, Maine, that provides free clothing to students in need, is facing an uncertain future as its lease is set to expire soon. The foundation, which has been a crucial resource for local families for over six years, is now urgently seeking a new location to continue its operations.

Key Takeaways

The Pink Feather Foundation helps families who can’t afford back-to-school clothes for their children.
The foundation’s lease is expiring, and they have no new location lined up.
They serve students from pre-K through 10th grade across 17 schools in Androscoggin and Oxford Counties.
Over 700 packages of clothing have been delivered confidentially to students.
The foundation needs at least 3,000 square feet of space to continue its operations.

A Vital Resource for Students

The Pink Feather Foundation has been a lifeline for many families, providing essential clothing to students who might otherwise go without. Co-owner Jenn Kyllonen recalls a pivotal moment when she realized the impact of their work: "That was kind of our moment, she came back, and she was excited to be at school, she was engaged in the classroom, and it has blossomed from there."

The Challenge Ahead

The foundation’s current lease is set to expire soon, and the property has been sold, leaving them without a place to operate. "We are looking to the community for any leads for spaces that might be available; we need at least three thousand square feet, and that’s bare minimum," said Kyllonen.

Without a secure space, the foundation cannot accept any more donations, putting their mission at risk. The organization has been a significant part of the local educational resources, with teachers and parents relying on them to help students feel comfortable and confident in school.

Community Call to Action

The Pink Feather Foundation is urging the community in and around Poland, Norway, and Oxford to come forward with any ideas for a new location. "We have become a pretty important part of the teacher resources that are here local, we have had people reach out and say, ‘there’s just no way, we need this program,’ so we are going to do everything we can to continue to operate at some capacity," Kyllonen emphasized.

The foundation’s future hangs in the balance, and they are calling on the community to help them find a new home to continue their invaluable work.