CMP Employees chip in
to feed Maine's hungry
Good Shepherd Food-Bank was able to serve the needs of Maine's hungry this past summer, thanks to many generous donations from CMP employees. During July, employees from CMP's Service Centers, Substations, Transmission & Distribution Support, and the North Augusta Service Center collected about 400 pounds of food and $525 in cash for Good Shepherd to distribute to food pantries and soup kitchens around the state.
The drive started when Good Shepherd Food-Bank approached CMP seeking help in communicating the increased need for donations through the summer months.
Food Bank Director of Development, Michelle Gosselin, said: "Our member food pantries and soup kitchens routinely report longer lines and more kids needing help throughout the summer. Maine has an estimated 69,000 children who receive free or subsidized meals at school. Summer poses challenges for families to come up with the extra food throughout these months."
Central Maine Power's Lakes Region Service Center Manager Brenda Benner launched the food drive within the utility's Operations division after visiting the Food Bank. She was impressed with the facility and the dedication of the people she met there.
"Many of the volunteers at Good Shepherd Food-Bank are people who also receive food from the organization," she says. "It was very uplifting to hear some of their stories and to see how willing they are to lend a hand."
Benner adds that once the drive got under way, it didn't take long for donations of cash and food items to pile up.
"Employees really stepped up to the plate," she says. "CMP employees have a long tradition of community involvement, and this food drive is just one more example of their willingness to step up and help people in need."
The proceeds from the food drive were presented to Good Shepherd Food-Bank in July. The cash collected from CMP employees will enable the Food Bank to buy about 3,200 pounds of additional food; enough for an estimated 2,500 meals.
Good Shepherd Food-Bank is one of Maine's largest hunger relief organizations, providing food to nearly 600 member agencies throughout the state. For more information about Good Shepherd Food-Bank's mission to feed people in Maine, please check out the website at: www.gsfb.org
Pictured: Matt and Ben Gosselin, four and six year old sons of Michelle Gosselin, are all smiles as they help their mom pick up 400 pounds of food and $525 in cash donated by CMP Operations employees.
About CMP: Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation, operates more than 25,000 miles of power lines and other facilities that deliver electricity to 80 percent of Maine's population. Their web site is: www.cmpco.com.
About Energy East: Energy East Corporation is a respected, super-regional energy services and delivery company serving about 3 million customers throughout upstate New York and New England. By providing outstanding customer service and meeting customers' energy requirements in an environmentally responsible manner, Energy East will continue to be a valuable asset to the communities we serve.
