UNUM Goes Over the Top to Help Good Shepherd Food-Bank
When UNUM's 312 employees of the Portland Regional Benefits Operations learned of Good Shepherd's increased need during summer months, particularly for kid-friendly foods, they took the challenge to form a fun competition among their staff members & teams. Their July "Focus on Fruit" Food Drive resulted in a total of 2,210 cans of various types of fruit collected in an office designated as "The Fruit Cube".
In addition to monetary gifts of $602 from employees, UNUM also contributed a donation of $1,000. Maria Long, Sr. Clinical Consultant for UNUM said: "Words cannot express the satisfaction and joy that resulted from the giving of unselfish donations of canned fruit, money, and time. Goals were consistently exceeded and though each team competed against one another, we declared everyone a winner."
Thank you UNUM for donations and gifts. You have helped make Maine Kids the real winners through your generosity.
CMP Employees chip in to feed Maine's hungry
GSFB was better able to serve the needs of Maine's hungry this summer, thanks to many generous donations from CMP employees.
Recently, employees from Central Maine Power's - Service Centers, Substations, Transmission & Distribution Support, and the North Augusta Service Center collected 400 pounds of food and $525 in cash, enabling us to distribute an additional $6,500 worth of food to pantries and soup kitchens.
The drive started when Good Shepherd Food-Bank approached CMP seeking help in communicating the increased need for donations through the summer months..
Good Shepherd Food-Bank receives
over $13,000 from Hannaford Supermarkets
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.
National Hunger Awareness Day Means
'Sharing the Bread' for Maine Credit Unions
On Tuesday, June 5, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger celebrated National Hunger Awareness Day by presenting $17,000, one of the largest, single-day contributions to multiple hunger organizations ever in Maine, to 33 hunger organizations throughout the state. The third annual 'Share the Bread' event was created by Maine's credit unions to recognize the efforts of food pantries across the State and to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in Maine.
In the morning, representatives from two food pantries in each of Maine's eight southern-most counties received a loaf of bread and a check for $500 (the other kind of bread) from the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger in a ceremony at the Maine CU League in Westbrook. The bread then traveled north, for an afternoon presentation at Good Shepherd Food Bank's Distribution Center in Brewer, where representatives from Maine's eight northern-most counties received bread and checks. The total amount highlighted the completion of the 17th year that Maine's credit unions have worked to end hunger in Maine.
The following agencies received checks (listed alphabetically by county):
- Androscoggin County: Buckfield Food Pantry, Buckfield, Community Free Baptist Food Pantry, Sabattus
- Aroostook County: First Baptist Food Pantry, New Sweden, M & M Ministries Food Pantry, Presque Isle
- Cumberland County: First Congregational- New Gloucester Food Pantry, New Gloucester, United Methodist Good Fellowship Food Pantry, Naples
- Franklin County: Tri-Town Food Cupboard, Livermore Falls, Phillips Shared Ministry Food Pantry, Phillips
- Hancock County: Island Food Pantry, Stonington, Bucksport Community Concerns, Bucksport
- Kennebec County: St. Andrew's-Mt. Vernon Food Pantry, Mt. Vernon, Vassalboro Food Station, Vassalboro
- Knox County: Come Spring Food Pantry, Union, Washington Food Bank, Washington
- Lincoln County: Jefferson Area Food Bank, Jefferson, Wiscasset Nazarene Outreach, Wiscasset
- Oxford County: Woodstock Food Pantry, Bryant Pond, GRAMPA Food Pantry, Mexico
- Penobscot County: Chester Baptist Food Pantry, Lincoln, Stetson Food Cupboard, Stetson
- Piscataquis County: Living Word Community Food Cupboard, Dover-Foxcroft
- Sagadahoc County: Shepherd of Faith Food Pantry, Richmond, Stauron Ministries Food Pantry, Topsham
- Somerset County: Starks Food Cupboard, Starks, Calvary Pentecostal Food Pantry, Madison
- Waldo County: Crossroad Food Pantry, Morrill, Searsport Cong./Methodist Food Pantry, Frankfort
- Washington County: Machias Food Pantry, Machias, Labor of Love Food Pantry, Eastport
- York County: Lyman-Dayton Community Food Pantry, Lyman, Acton-Milton Mills Food Pantry, Acton
Jon Paradise of the Maine Credit Union League, said that 'Share the Bread' illustrates Maine's credit unions' philosophy about 'people helping people.' "Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has worked to raise money for, and increase awareness of hunger in Maine. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to help those organizations that do so much for people in Maine. Hunger is a reality for many in our state, in every county and every community. What better time than National Hunger Awareness Day to turn our attention to this very important issue," he said.
Speaker's Bureau Established
For the first time in 25 years, GSFB has established a formal Speaker's Bureau Program. We are looking for passionate and effective communicators who would like to be part of our newly developed GSFB Speaker's Bureau..
Maine's Credit Unions
honor hunger pioneer's memory
On March 19, in a ceremony called "Renewing a Partnership; Remembering a Partner," Maine's credit unions honored the memory of JoAnn Pike, the founder of the Good Shepherd Food Bank, by making a donation of $10,500 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Pike began the Good Shepherd nearly 28 years ago and served as its executive director until February of 2004 when she resigned. Three years ago this month, she passed away of cancer.
GSFB and The Pampered Chef
Partner for Hunger Relief
More than 25 million Americans rely on charitable food assistance to make ends meet, according to America's Second Harvest - the Nation's Food Bank Network. Currently, Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB) and The Pampered Chef are working together to fight hunger in Maine. Becky Davis, a local, independent Pampered Chef Consultant, recently presented a check for $7,311 to GSFB.
Recycling program...
Creative way to get more food!
Solut!ons: Advanced MicroSystems - Ink and Toner Recycling Program to raise more dollars for more food.
The Ink & Toner project is a program that turns used cartridges into dollars to help the organization. No drop off is needed. "That's a nice part of this program," stated JoAn Chartier, Public Relations Manager for GSFB, "they'll pick up the boxes of used cartridges right at our facility."
Emerson Toyota Donates Van to GSFB
January 24, 2007
Emerson Toyota of Auburn recently became a generous transportation partner of Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB) by donating a 2000 Toyota Sienna XLE.
Given the fact that Good Shepherd is a Statewide organization, this will help save significantly on travel budgets. The staff of GSFB will utilize this vehicle when traveling to monitor it's partner agencies throughout Maine, visit food and financial donors, attend speaking engagements, awareness building and educational events, as well as other work related meetings statewide..
A Gift of Technology
December 21, 2006
Oxford Networks recently partnered with Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB) to improve their statewide technology system by providing a $2,500 grant for new network routers, fire walls, and a year of support.
Rich Foisy, GSFB's supervisor of Information Technology stated that the food bank's previous system was too old to qualify for support from the vendor. This upgrade will help us to be better protected against losing critical system connections, enhance security, and improve communications and efficiency with our distribution center in Brewer.
More Soup For Soupy
December 14, 2006
Four Kindergarten classes of Trinity Catholic School in Lewiston held a Food & Fund Drive in November to benefit Good Shepherd Food-Bank. Soupy, GSFB's Mascot, made a visit during a lunch session to collect the financial donations and food items from all four classes. A total of 234 lbs. of soups and other non perishables were collected, as well as funds that will be used to acquire more food to feed more families during this winter season.
Pictured are students from Mrs.Elisa Guy's Kindergarten class with Soupy.
Avon's Team Tanguay Celebrates Success
at Good Shepherd Food-Bank
November 18, 2006
Dan and Coleen Tanguay of Lewiston, celebrated with Avon representatives and customers at Good Shepherd Food Bank on Saturday, November 18th, to acknowledge their success of reaching Avon's Executive Unit Leaders level and to give thanks to the many people and Good Shepherd Food Bank
Help comes to York County
Good Shepherd Food-Mobile Helps York County Agencies.
On October 5th, 2006, Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB) celebrated the first anniversary of its Food-Mobile and made an 8,000- pound delivery of food to a number of York County Agencies.
YPLAA Event Yields $5,500 and 7,000 pounds
of Food for Good Shepherd Food Bank
October 10, 2006 - Lewiston, Maine
The Young Professionals of the Lewiston-Auburn Area (YPLAA, pronounced y-play) last night announced a partnership with Bangor Savings Bank, receiving an initial commitment of $10,000, and marking YPLAA's first major sponsorship. The partnership was announced as part of YPLAA's third-ever networking event at Martindale Country Club in Auburn. The event's theme, "Something Green," asked attendees to bring cash and canned goods for the Good Shepherd Food Bank, resulting in a $5,000 donation and over 7,000 pounds of food, including a surprise tractor-trailer load delivered by Tracey's Express.
Good Shepherd Food-Bank Honors Partners
with VIP (Very Important Partner) Award Ceremony
November 8th and 16th, 2006
Hundreds of people gathered at Good Shepherd Food-Bank's Auburn and Brewer facilities recently, for 25th Anniversary Open House Celebrations and VIP (Very Important Partner) Award Ceremonies.
Soupy Visits St Joseph's Students
December 6, 2007
Good Shepherd Food-Bank's mascot "Soupy" made a visit to St. Joseph's Child Development Center of Auburn, in December, to pick up over 500 lbs of food and over $150 in donations from their recent Food & Fund Drive.
KeyBank's annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day
September 14, 2006
Seven KeyBank employees came to GSFB's Auburn facility to help with an office 'facelift' as part of KeyBank's annual "Neighbors Make the Difference Day."
KeyBank employees volunteered their time painting the stairwells and shampooing the carpet in a large banquet room at GSFB.
The Bluegrass Gospel Project
Saturday, October 28th, 2006, 7:30PM - The Bluegrass Gospel Project will perform at the Camden Opera House with proceeds to benefit Good Shepherd Food-Bank. The talented group of musicians will perform their unique blend of bluegrass, country and folk songs that are infused with strands of gospel.
Proceeds from the band's Northeast tour support organizations committed to addressing hunger and homelessness around the region. Good Shepherd Food-Bank spokesperson, JoAn Chartier, states: "We are thankful for BGC's support of our efforts throughout the State of Maine. This will also give our organization an opportunity to raise awareness that we are a key players working in partnerships with local anti-hunger agencies and are serving more than 15 agencies in Knox County alone." The Bluegrass Gospel Project website is www.bluegrassgospelproject.com.
Team Xtreme Karate Studio
hosts a "Walk-For-Hunger"
Saturday, October 14th at 9:00AM - Team Xtreme Karate Studio hosts a "Walk-For-Hunger" to raise funds to benefit Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB).
Team Xtreme is a national, non profit organization who's shared team goals have included many outreaches in the community. Individual participants will seek sponsors to help raise funds to help GSFB.
The walk will begin at 9:00AM at the Xtreme Studios of Self Defense 136 Sabattus St -Sabattus, ME 04280. For more information, contact Bob Morisette at 375-4815 or bob864@verizon.net or call Liana Pinard 415-5237.
Pictured is Sensei Bobby Morissette, a 3rd degree black belt in Kempo Karate and Jiu-Jitsu.
Mainely Tubs brings
310,000 pounds of food to feed Maine's hungry!
August 11, 2006 - Jim Van Fleet, owner and president of Mainely Tubs said "We are proud to partner with GSFB. We are committed to investing in our community and know that our support will provide significant help to community members." Good Shepherd Food-Bank provides food to more than 100 agencies in the Cumberland County alone.
Full Time Volunteers
Give Whole Year Of Service
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) wraps up 19th year of service to Maine's hungry, giving more than $40,000 worth of full-time volunteer labor during their 2005-2006 term.
Shaw's Supermarkets Donation
Will Help Displaced Mill Workers
July 14, 2006 - Shaw's Supermarkets recently made a donation to Good Shepherd Food-Bank (GSFB) in the amount of $3,316.50 from the sale of their Easy Magazine. The funds will enable the food bank to provide nearly twenty three thousand (23,000) pounds of food to families in need.
