A Message From The Executive Director
Food Banking Works!
Spring/Summer 2008
It is in times of greatest need when people are at their best. Despite rising gas prices and a weakened economy, people are finding the resources to share and help their neighbors. Donors are stepping up to keep food in stock and volunteers are giving of their time. Together, we support our agencies to meet the needs in our communities. I encourage you to continue your efforts. Food Banking is making a huge difference!
When partnering together with you, this really works!
12.5% of the population of Maine are currently in need of our help. That’s about 143,000 people. In the hands of over 600 member agencies, the food that Good Shepherd Food Bank collects and distributes turns into about 1.5 million meals a month. And no matter how you slice it, that’s a lot of meals! Still, we’re only providing food for about 70,000 people. That’s less than half the number of people in need. Additionally, 69,000 children in Maine qualify for school lunch programs. They’ll still need food when school is out for the summer!
The Agencies...
the Soup Kitchens, Food Pantries, Group Homes, etc., are key in this fight against hunger. Therefore, we are expanding our abilities to provide the agencies with the items they need, and our ability to distribute those products. We will place greater effort into aiding agencies with efficiencies and their capacities to help others. And we will seek to work collaboratively with other non-profits outside the food industry that might be of aid to the agencies across the state.
Hunger is a preventable condition in our country; an unacceptable condition.
Obviously, providing food for the hungry is a team effort. Your support is deeply appreciated by those of us at Good Shepherd Food-Bank, but even more so by those in your community who now have access to this much needed food.
Please feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
God Bless You,
Rick Small
