Contribution from Maine CUs to provide 80,000 meals during difficult season

Earlier this week, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger ‘shared the bread’, a share that will provide 80,000 meals to food pantries across Maine.  The contribution comes at a time when access to meals, and contributions to pantries are done because of the summer season.

“While many people are enjoying all that summer in Maine has to offer, unfortunately, there are thousands of Mainers who are worried about where their next meal is going to come.  Many of those are children, who are out on summer vacation, and can’t as easily access meals through school.  In addition to making a contribution, part of the event’s goal is to raise awareness that summertime hunger is a significant issue in Maine,” remarked Jon Paradise, Vice President of Public Affairs and Engagement.

In all, 33 food pantries, including Good Shepherd Food Bank, received a contribution and a loaf of bread at ceremonies held at the Maine Credit Union League in Westbrook, and at the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Distribution Center in Hampden.  Paradise said the loaf of bread is “symbolic of the sharing spirit that is so strong in Maine, and represents what credit unions are all about.”

Two food pantries in each Maine county received contributions of $600 each.  Collectively, the contribution totals more than $21,000, which will enable food pantries to purchase more than 80,000 meals.

The contribution is part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger’s statewide initiatives, and utilizes some of the funds raised through the 2017 Campaign.  The 2017 Campaign raised a record-setting $740,000 to help end hunger in Maine.

Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised $8 million to help end hunger in Maine.