Mango tacos, passion fruit cheesecake, curry noodle soup, and lemon cocktails are some of the ways 62 Midcoast eateries are incorporating the color yellow on their July menus in the second annual Finding Our Voices “Into the Light!” Foodie Festival.
 
Through July, beloved fine-dining and casual restaurants, lobster shacks, ice cream shops, farmer’s market stands, and bakeries across 15 Midcoast towns and on two islands are designating a yellow food and/or drink as their “Into the Light!” menu item, with proceeds from these items going to Finding Our Voices. Yellow is the color of the grassroots, statewide nonprofit for the light it brings both to the issue of domestic abuse and to Maine women and child victims. 
 
Patrisha McLean, survivor of 29 years of domestic abuse and CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices, said this event will get people talking about domestic abuse as well as raise money for the nonprofit.  “Sixty-two Midcoast eateries have taken the time to create a clever and delicious yellow menu item for us, and in their busiest month of the year are donating money from sales to make life brighter for Maine’s domestic abuse victims. How beautiful is that?”
 
She said that diners with all budgets can have fun discovering how many ways there are to prepare yellow ingredients and how many of the concoctions  they can try, “while knowing that with every sip and taste, they are bringing light to Maine women and child domestic abuse victims.” Proceeds from the biggest fundraiser of the year for Finding Our Voices buy critical items for women to get out and stay out of danger at home, and keep their children and pets safe as well.
 
Yellow “Into the Light!” Midcoast Maine menu items through July include Mango Pineapple Habanero Smoked Chicken Wings at Station 118 in Thomaston; lemon and lavender sorbet at Aster & Rose in Lincolnville; Spiced potato cakes with fresh poached lobster at Norumbega Inn and Corned beef hash Benedict at Buttermilk Kitchen in Camden, SUN-daes at Dark Harbor Shop on Islesboro, Sunny Days Ahead cocktail at 18 Central in Rockport; Pork Carnita Tacos with cilantro-lime coleslaw at Dos Gatos Gastropub in Belfast; a strong and bright blend from Rock City Coffee, and from Bixby’s also based out of Rockland the Golden Milk Smoothie Chocolate Bar.
 
Brian Fickett, of Sterlingtown Public House in Union, is donating $1 from every Tequila Pineapple Spritz sold during July:

“We are honored,” he said, “to collaborate with Finding Our Voices and so many top-notch local businesses to provide for those that need our help. This is truly what community is all about!”

To further demonstrate the generosity of the Midcoast business community, 25 Camden store owners have donated yellow items for an “Into the Light!” raffle tied to how many yellow menu items a person orders, according to McLean.
 
Every uploaded selfie with a purchased “Into the Light!” item is one more chances to win yellow gift baskets for children, pets, and adults. The bounty includes a signed yellow-cover Chris Van Dusen book from Owl & Turtle, yellow Penobscot Bay coasters from Leslie Curtis Designs, a yellow vintage Maine license plate from Upper Vintage, yellow leather wallet from Leather Bench, and selection of yellow delectables from French & Brawn. 
 
Other businesses spreading light for domestic abuse survivors in fun and creative ways through July for Finding Our Voices include Windsor Chairmakers raffling a Windsor swayback armchair painted historic yellow and valued at more than $1,400; Seasons Downeast Designs, Glendarragh Lavender shop, and Lily Lupine and Fern donating proceeds from, respectively, a yellow flower bouquet, yellow scarves, and yellow-label bottles of wine; and Barnswallow Books in Rockport donating proceeds from books with yellow covers.
 
First National Bank is the lead sponsor of the 2024 Finding Our Voices Foodie Festival, with further support provided by sponsors including Lucinda Watson, Borden Cottage, Dirigo Law Group, and Viking Lumber. 

 
Finding Our Voices is survivors of domestic abuse breaking the silence, stigma and isolation of domestic abuse across Maine, and providing peer-support that includes online support groups and access to free dental care.

For more information about the nonprofit and “Into the Light!” event visit https://findingourvoices.net/