A Story That Stays With Me: Why I Serve on the HMRC Board

by Carol Sherburne, Board Member

During my nearly 30 years as a public school teacher, I witnessed moments that shaped me forever. One story in particular continues to guide my work today.

It was late in the afternoon, near the end of the school day, when a student asked if he could go see the nurse. It was unusual timing—end-of-day visits are always hectic—so I gently suggested he wait until dismissal. But he was insistent, his voice urgent: “I have to see the nurse.”

I called ahead to the nurse’s office, and she immediately understood. At lunch, the student had eaten only half of his hamburger. He wanted to pick up the other half he had left in the nurse’s office and bring it home. He wasn’t sure what dinner would look like that night, and he wanted to make sure that we would have something to eat.

That moment broke my heart. Here was a child who had spent his entire day carrying the weight of that worry: Would there be food on the table tonight? No child should have to spend their school day thinking about something as basic as whether they will eat dinner.

For me, that day was a turning point. It reminded me that hunger is often a silent need. Unless someone speaks up, we may never know it exists. But it’s there—quietly shaping children’s lives, family routines, and futures.

That’s why I serve on the board of the Heart of Maine Resource Center. I believe in being present for our neighbors when they face circumstances beyond their control. We can’t solve every problem, but we can make sure families in our region have access to food and support.

Together, we can lift that burden of worry—so children can focus on learning, growing, and just being kids.