Hannaford Supermarket's
"Have a Heart" campaign raises over $13,000
Auburn, ME --In its fourth year, the Hannaford Have a Heart for Hunger campaign raised $13,193.18 for Good Shepherd Food-Bank. On June 7th, a check was presented to Good Shepherd's Executive Director, Rick Small, by Lewiston and Auburn store managers Tim Bryant and Jeff Castonguay. The funds raised through the Hannaford program will provide more than 65,000 meals for Maine residents in need.
Under the terms of the program, which ran throughout the month of February, customers could make donations at the register by selecting a donation coupon in $2, $5, or any denominations. Hannaford customers and associates supported the effort to provide assistance to local hunger relief agencies.
Monetary donations to food banks impact those in need more than many people realize. Just 20 cents allows a food bank to provide an entire meal to someone who otherwise might go hungry. A donation of just $2 allows the food bank to provide approximately $25 worth of food.
Good Shepherd Food-Bank impacts more than 600 communities throughout Maine by distributing food and essential supplies to soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, and hundred of other hunger-relief agencies. One in every four people served by a soup kitchen is a child. In total, more than 25 million Americans receive emergency food assistance each year.
In presenting the check to Rick Small, Auburn Hannaford Store Manager Jeff Castonguay said, "We are proud of our long standing commitment to fight hunger through the support of this program and food donations of over eight million pounds each year. Hannaford is a strong supporter in the fight against hunger. We recognize the dedicated work of Good Shepherd Food-Bank staff and volunteers who make a difference each day."
Good Shepherd Food-Bank was one of two Maine agencies to receive funds from the Hannaford program. Hannaford's 50 Maine locations raised more than $19,000 through the program. Small said; "A mere thank you doesn't relay how much we appreciate Hannaford Supermarket's support of Good Shepherd Food-Bank. Our partnership is vital to so many Mainer's who might otherwise suffer needless hunger. We are grateful for the thousands of Hannaford shoppers this gift represents."
In total, Hannaford Supermarkets raised over $70,000 through the 2007 Hannaford Have a Heart for Hunger campaign. The funds were allocated based on store location and the food banks' service areas. One hundred percent of the funds raised were donated to food banks in the five states where Hannaford has stores. In four years, the program has raised more than $325,000 for hunger-relief agencies.
Hannaford Bros. Co., based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 159 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford stores feature Guiding Stars, America's first storewide nutrition navigation system. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. The company is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.
Good Shepherd Food-Bank, headquartered in Auburn and Brewer, is Maine's largest hunger relief organization, providing for more than 70,000 people each month.
Pictured, from left:
Tim Bryant, Auburn Hannaford Store Manager, Rick Small, Executive Director Good Shepherd Food-Bank, and Jeff Castonguay, Manager, Lewiston Hannaford.
