Social Justice & Outreach

Scarborough Food Pantry

The Scarborough Food Pantry provides food to those in need. Parishioners donate non-perishable items on an ongoing basis. St. Nick’s plants and harvests one of three community vegetable gardens for distribution at the Pantry. Jane Ducott is St. Nick’s contact person. For more information, go to www.scarboroughfoodpantry.weebly.com

Logo for Konbit Santé CAP-HAITIEN Health Partnership with stylized text in yellow and gray

Parishioners participate in an annual Maine fundraising event, originally a community event titled “We Walk with Haiti." With the experience of COVID, the event was changed to a virtual one, with a broader approach. In 2023, STAND WITH HAITI. MOVE WITH KONBIT garnered much support from St. Nicholas members. Several of us also volunteer at the local Konbit Sante medical supply warehouse. Nancy Nickerson is St. Nick’s contact person. For more information, go to www.konbitsante.org.

Bridge for Peace

Bridge for Peace is a faith-based initiative. The program supports immigrants as they navigate life in Maine by fostering fellowship, sharing meals, and building partnerships with the local community. Its mission is to create bridges of hope, understanding, and mutual support.

The program is currently focused on three main areas:

  • Helping newcomers and immigrants understand essential rules, laws, and systems in the United States.

  • Organizing cultural exchange events that bring together immigrants and the local Maine community.

  • Supporting community members who have little or no English proficiency, helping them build basic language skills.

To carry out these efforts, Bridge for Peace has received funding from the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. In addition, both the Diocese and St. Nicholas Episcopal Church have provided critical support to members. This assistance has included Hannaford gift cards, prepared meals, and help with paying essential bills.  Members have engaged in relationship-building and extended support by connecting via chat groups, group texts, and Zoom meetings. Ride-sharing has also fostered fellowship among members and with St Nicholas parishioners.

Logo for St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry, featuring stylized human figures in orange, green, and teal surrounding a central cross, with the pantry's name in green and orange text.

St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center

St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine which provides essential non-food items to a low-income, largely immigrant population in Greater Portland. St. Nick’s is one of seven churches that sponsor the Center. Parishioners donate items, make financial contributions, and volunteer on St. Nick’s designated distribution day. Kelly Martino is St. Nick’s contact person. For more information go to https://stelizabethsmaine.org

Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange is a Massachusetts-based worker-owned company which helps support living wages for coffee and chocolate producers in Latin America and beyond, as well as sustainable agriculture and a fairer economic system. St. Nick’s purchases coffee for Fellowship Coffee Hour and chocolate for fundraisers for Konbit Sante. Nancy Nickerson is St. Nick’s contact person. For more information, go to www.equalexchange.coop

Project G.R.A.C.E.

Project G.R.A.C.E. (Granting Resources and Assistance through Community Effort) is a Scarborough-based volunteer non-profit organization, based on the premise “Neighbor helping neighbor”. Parishioners have contributed to Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets and Backpacks/School Supplies collections. For more information, go to www.projectgracemaine.weebly.com.