Heather Paquette’s One-Year Reflection: A Year of Learning, Growth, and Partnerships
Reflecting on my first year as President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, I am grateful for the path this journey has taken me on. This past year has been marked by learning, growth, and progress toward our mission to achieve food security across Maine. My leadership purpose is “always press forward, always give back,” a commitment to optimism, resilience, gratitude and giving in everything I do. I never imagined how my purpose could come to life in this role and how blessed I would feel looking back to day one and how far we have come.
When I stepped into this role, I knew that understanding every aspect of food banking would be essential. Supporting nearly 180,000 Mainers who experience food insecurity is a significant responsibility, and the dedication and expertise of our team, board, and partners—who work tirelessly to ensure people have access to the food they need to thrive—have continuously inspired me. The support from a diverse network of over 600 hunger relief organizations, donors, volunteers, and business and government leaders across the state is truly what makes our work possible. Through these strong partnerships, we can tackle the complex challenges of food insecurity piece by piece.
My background in grocery retail provided a solid foundation, but food banking presents unique challenges. I’ve come to understand that while efficiency is crucial, ensuring access and support for communities takes precedence. This understanding has shaped our approach to distribution, particularly to rural and underserved communities, ensuring that no one is left without the resources they need to live a full and healthy life.
Over the past year, I have spent time with our team members on the ground, gaining hands-on experience in our operations. From scanning products in our distribution center to learning about sourcing cost-efficient, culturally relevant food and supporting local farmers, each moment has been an opportunity for growth. I’ve also visited our partners at pantries, meal sites, schools, healthcare centers, and senior programs, witnessing firsthand how our work impacts communities across the state. These experiences have given me a deeper appreciation for the complexities of food banking and the daily challenges faced by our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
This firsthand knowledge has only strengthened my resolve to make food more accessible to all Mainers, regardless of their location or circumstances. The resilience and determination of our neighbors who are facing hunger and our partners inspire our daily efforts and drive us to keep pushing forward, even when the path may be difficult.
Our work is supported by a diverse ecosystem of partners dedicated to building food security across the state. This includes Feeding America, our national partner, along with over 600 hunger-relief organizations statewide, volunteers, donors, the business community, other nonprofit organizations, government leaders, and everyone in Maine who shares our vision of a food-secure state. Each partner plays a role, and together, we break down the work into pieces that are delivered with commitment and care. It’s inspiring to see this collective effort in action.
I joined Good Shepherd Food Bank shortly after we celebrated the most successful fundraising campaign in our history, an achievement driven by the generosity of our supporters. However, as the pandemic-related funding surge began to taper off, we faced new challenges as the cost of food and essentials rose. At the same time, we also saw increasing rates of hunger that have now surpassed pandemic levels. Despite these challenges, our team and our incredible community of partners and supporters remained committed to our mission. Together, we distributed 39 million meals last year, the highest number in Good Shepherd Food Bank’s history.
Our new strategic plan, launched this year, provides a clear direction for the future. With a focus on sustaining our mission and building on our successes, we are poised to continue addressing food insecurity across the state. This plan is centered on strengthening our partnerships with hunger relief organizations, investing in innovative solutions, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of hunger.
As we move forward, our vision remains clear: a future where everyone in Maine is food secure. We are committed to advocating for long-term solutions to end hunger, expanding partnerships, and continuously improving access to nutritious, culturally relevant food for families, children, and older Mainers. Collaboration is at the heart of this work, and we are excited to continue learning from and working with food banks and organizations nationwide.
