Help eliminate hunger in our state
Call or email your local representative and senator to let them know where you stand.
Advocating For Change
Your voice makes a difference
Help us advocate for programs and policies that bring relief to individuals and families struggling to get by.
Contact your Senator to let them know you support full funding for SNAP (food stamps) and other federal nutrition programs.
Contact your Representative and tell them that Maine needs strong SNAP, General Assistance, school nutrition, and summer meals programs.
Chellie Pingree
State Representative
Jared Golden
State Representative
Susan Collins
U.S. Senator
Angus King
U.S. Senator
The Advocacy Team
Meet our team that advocates on behalf of Mainers at risk of hunger.
Amy Sassi
Vice President of Public Policy
- asassi@gsfb.org
- She/Her
Amy Sassi, vice president of public policy and research, joined the Food Bank in December 2019. Her work includes state and federal advocacy, working with partner agencies to utilize research tools to assess the impact of our work, and engaging our Board, donors, volunteers, community, and those who have lived experience of hunger in grassroots advocacy. Sassi’s work is grounded in building relationships with elected officials and staff on all sides of the political aisle. You can find her in Augusta, DC and on the road throughout Maine.
Sassi was previously employed by AARP Maine as the advocacy director and built the successful Tuesdays at the State House constituent engagement program. She began her career at Preble Street, a social services organization in Portland, Maine, and oversaw the Maine Hunger Initiative, Healthcare Outreach to Veterans, and Homeless Voices for Justice.
Sassi is a volunteer with The Prouty, the Eastern Trail Alliance, and is a board member of Portland Ovations. She cares deeply about the “New Mainer” community and organized the 2019 Welcome Picnic for 300+ asylum seekers. Sassi grew up in Buxton and is a proud graduate of Catherine McAuley High School. She graduated from Saint Anselm College with a BA in Politics, New York University with an MS in International Development.
Heather Paquette
President
- hpaquette@gsfb.org
- She/Her
Heather Paquette is guided by her unwavering leadership purpose – Always Press Forward, Always Give Back. As the President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, she leads a dedicated team of hunger-relief professionals to address the root causes of hunger by exploring innovative solutions, sourcing nutritious and culturally relevant food, and collaborating with a network of over 600 partnerships across Maine.
Heather’s professional history reflects her commitment to innovation. Before joining the Food Bank, she played a pivotal role at Ahold Delhaize, where she led a team focused on addressing the changing needs of retail consumers and store associates during the industries’ evolution and omnichannel ambitions. Her team sourced, tested, and delivered innovative solutions to enhance the consumer experience for the five brands under the Ahold Delhaize brand umbrella.
As a University of Southern Maine graduate with a degree in Business Finance, Heather began her career with Hannaford Supermarkets in 1999 as a Retail Management Training (RMT) program participant. During her 22 years with the company, her roles spanned from Assistant Store Manager to Vice President Retail Operations for Maine and New Hampshire, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to the brand.
Throughout her career, Heather took on diverse responsibilities, including marketing and brand management, leading cross-functional teams, and redefining operating models. Her final role at Hannaford was as Vice President of Retail Services, overseeing critical support functions such as payroll, asset protection, pharmacy, retail communications, and operations support.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Heather is deeply involved in community service. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and co-chaired the United Way Tocqueville campaign. Heather also served as the board chair for the Maine March of Dimes Chapter from 2017 to 2019 and as a board member for 11 years.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. She was recognized in the Griffin Report’s “Women of Influence in the Supermarket Industry” in 2021 and again in 2017, and she was named in their “40 under 40” in 2016. As a graduate of the NEW Executive Institute 2015-2016 program, Heather has keynoted at the UNE Health Majors’ Leadership Conference and participated in panels for organizations like the Network of Executive Women, the National Diversity Council, and the University of Southern Maine.
Heather Paquette resides in Maine with her husband, Brian, and their two children. Beyond her professional commitments, she enjoys running and supporting her busy kids’ activities, including participating in a unique unicycling group!
Robin McCarthy
Chief Advancement Officer
- rmccarthy@gsfb.org
- She/Her
Robin McCarthy leads Development, Communications, and Government Affairs efforts. Since joining the Food Bank in 2019, she has played a key role in growing fundraising efforts, modernizing philanthropy operations, and advancing the mission to end hunger in Maine. With a background in advocacy, communications, and philanthropy operations, Robin brings a strategic approach to engaging storytelling and organizational growth. She lives in Bucksport with her husband and their dog.