File Photo / Jim Neuger
Todd Mason is president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League.
Updated: June 6, 2022
Maine credit unions kick off anti-hunger campaign with $100K challenge
Courtesy / Maine Credit Union League
A team from the Maine Credit Union League, including Tim Brooks, volunteered at Good Shepherd Food Bank.
For the third year in a row, Maine credit unions are kicking off their annual campaign to fight hunger with a 30-day, $100,000 challenge to financial institutions, businesses and individuals to contribute.
The 2022 Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger is raising money for Good Shepherd Food Bank, local community food pantries and meal sites.
“June is National Hunger Awareness Month — a perfect time to hold a challenge to combat hunger in our state,” said Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League.
“Our league and our entire credit union network is deeply committed to this issue and we are working hard with our community partners year-round to eliminate hunger in Maine by 2030. Initiatives like these, which raise both dollars and awareness, will certainly help us reach that goal.”
As part of the challenge, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to make a secure online donation here. Some credit unions also are accepting donations at their branches.
Three-quarters of the funds raised by Maine credit unions either online or in branches during the challenge will be used to support local food pantries and meal sites, while the rest will directly benefit Good Shepherd.
“There was an incredible outpouring of support for this effort last year as well as the year before,” said Cheryl Lancaster, executive vice president of member services at the Maine Credit Union League. “In 2021, we raised $110,000 in 30 days. If people across our great state accept our challenge and open their hearts and wallets once again, I believe we can raise even more this year.”
The $100,000 challenge runs all month, through June 30. All donations are tax-deductible, and credit union membership is not a requirement to participate.
"The charitable food network is here to fill the void in the federal and state safety net," said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd and a 2020 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year honoree.
Citing figures from Feeding America, a national food-bank network, Miale said an estimated 182,000 Mainers — or 13.5% of the population — experienced food security in 2021. That compares to 167,000 people who experienced food insecurity before the pandemic.
"The unwavering support from Maine's credit unions and their members ensures that the Food Bank and its network of nearly 600 food pantries, meal sites and other hunger-relief nonprofits, can deliver healthy and nutritious food to Mainers experiencing hunger," Miale added.
Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised more than $11.3 million, including over $930,000 in food and cash contributions in 2021.
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