“Fighting Domestic Abuse: How Yellow Food and Drink Raised $24,000 for Survivors”

The grassroots nonprofit organization Finding Our Voices has successfully raised an impressive $24,000 to support domestic abuse survivors in Maine through a unique fundraiser known as “Into the Light!” Foodie Fiesta. This event, which featured the participation of 37 restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and ice cream shops, encouraged contributors to create a yellow food and/or drink item for their July menus and donate a portion of the proceeds to the cause.

According to the CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices, Patrisha McLean, the funds raised from the summer event will be allocated to the Get Out Stay Out Fund, which provides financial assistance to women fleeing domestic violence. These funds will be dedicated to ensuring the safety, freedom, and comfort of women and children during the winter holidays, a time that is frequently the most perilous for those trapped in abusive situations.

The disbursements from the funds raised will include essential resources, such as a new door for a woman whose ex-partner destroyed the old one, food and gas gift cards, apartment rent to prevent eviction, temporary motel stays, and storage unit and U-Haul truck fees to rescue personal belongings including children’s photos and health records.

The “Into the Light!” sales that contributed to the $24,000 raised included a variety of yellow-themed offerings from participating eateries, such as limoncello cake, pineapple cocktails, lemon poppyseed conchas, lemon tiramisu, and squash soup. Many of these items were reported to be “flying off the shelves” during the event.

The fundraiser also received support from various business and individual sponsors who contributed to the earnings from the event, underscoring a strong sense of community involvement to support survivors of domestic abuse.

Finding Our Voices seeks to illuminate the issue of domestic abuse in Maine and provide support to survivors through survivor-powered public awareness campaigns, financial assistance, pro bono dental care, healing retreats, and online support groups.

Looking ahead, Finding Our Voices plans to reintroduce an expanded version of the “Into the Light!” Foodie Fiesta in July of 2024, with the goal of continuing to raise awareness and support for domestic abuse survivors.

For more information on Finding Our Voices and how to make a donation, individuals can visit their website at FindingOurVoices.net or email the CEO and founder, Patrisha McLean, directly at [email protected].

The success of the “Into the Light!” Foodie Fiesta serves as evidence of the formidable impact of community support and collaboration in making a positive difference in the lives of domestic abuse survivors in Maine.