Maine credit unions launch $100K challenge to fight hunger
File photo / Courtesy Maine Credit Union League
Jake Holmes, the Maine Credit Union League’s financial literacy outreach coordinator, is shown here offering a food donation as part of last year's Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.
After raising a record $969,775 last year to combat hunger in the state, Maine credit unions are launching their 2021 campaign with a challenge to all financial institutions, businesses and individuals to contribute to the cause. That includes non-credit union members.
As in 2020, Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger kicks off with a $100,000 challenge in June to raise money for Good Shepherd Food Bank, local community food pantries and meal sites across the state.
While the month-long challenge officially runs from June 1 to June 30, those who are interested can donate now, a spokesperson for the Maine Credit Union League told Mainebiz.
Three-quarters of the funds raised online during the challenge will help support local food pantries and meal sites, while the rest will directly benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank, according to Tuesday's announcement.
“When we held our $100,000 Challenge in June of 2020, we didn’t know what to expect,” said Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League.
"But the outpouring of support we received was incredible," he noted. "In 30 days, we raised $230,000. Given that many Mainers are still struggling financially due to the ongoing pandemic, we are again challenging people to help us feed our neighbors in need.”
The $100,000 kickoff challenge will run throughout June. All donations are tax-deductible, and contributors may be listed on the campaign’s website. The site notes that one in five Maine children are food insecure.
“The COVID-19 crisis has brought an acute awareness to a persistent problem that existed long before the pandemic, and as life inches closer to normal, we hope Mainers will remember that our ‘normal’ included one in five Maine kids going to bed without enough food,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank and a 2020 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year honoree.
“The issue of hunger needed this attention ten years ago — we need to make up for lost time and use what we’ve learned during COVID to end hunger once and for all," she added.
Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised more than $10.4 million.
“While our goal is to raise $100,000 over the next 30 days, we hope people will open up their hearts and wallets to help us raise even more,” said Cheryl Lancaster, executive vice president of member services at the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent, a managed services provider founded by credit unions in 1971.
“Maine’s credit unions are deeply committed to combating hunger in our state year-round, but a challenge like this, especially during National Hunger Awareness month, really brings everyone together."
Those who wish to donate can do so online here or at local credit union branches throughout the state.
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