File photo / Jim Neuger
Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League, photographed at the organization's Westbrook headquarters in 2017.
Updated: July 15, 2021
Maine credit unions raise $110K in 30 days 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.
By Staff
Maine credit unions raised $110,000 in June to combat hunger in the state, with plans to donate the money to local food pantries, meal sites and the Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Maine Credit Union League announced on Wednesday.
Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised more $10.4 million, including a record-breaking $960,000 in food and cash contributions last year.
As it did last year, the campaign kicked off in 2021 with a $100,000 challenge during June. Three-quarters of the $110,000 raised online during the month-long challenge will support local food pantries and meal sites, while the rest will directly benefit Good Shepherd, a nonprofit based in Auburn. As noted on the campaign's website, one in five Maine children and 13.6% of Maine households are food-insecure.
"Addressing hunger in Maine is an issue we must continue to prioritize,” said Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League, in Wednesday's news release.
“Raising $100,000 in such a short period of time is a great result, but it doesn’t scratch the surface on what is needed to ensure every Mainer has access to nutritious meals. While our Challenge might be over, our work to raise critical funds remains ongoing.”
As part of the challenge he referred to, financial institutions, businesses and individuals were encouraged to make a donation to Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger online, or by visiting a credit union branch.
Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank and a 2020 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year honoree, said the organization's network of more than 500 partner agencies helped it distribute 31.7 million meals during the first 12 months of the pandemic.
"In the last year, many food pantries across the state reported increased visits from families who had never used a charitable food service before,” she said. "The growth in food distribution was fueled by the incredible generosity of individuals, organizations like Maine’s Credit Unions, and foundations located throughout the state. We are grateful for their support to end hunger in Maine.”
How to donate
Donations to Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger can be made online all year long.
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