Food Bank Distributes Record Number of Meals to Maine Communities in 2014
Auburn, ME – Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed a record 21 million pounds of food to its network of local partner agencies across the state in 2014. This equates to 17.5 million meals provided to Mainers facing hunger last year, a 35 percent increase over 2013.
Good Shepherd Food Bank is a statewide hunger relief organization that distributes donated and purchased food to local partner agencies in all 16 counties. The Food Bank partners with 600 local agencies, including food pantries, meal sites, senior centers, schools, and other programs. In addition, the Food Bank offers programs to directly combat child hunger and provide nutrition education to low-income Mainers.
Approximately half of the growth in the Food Bank’s distribution came from the retail store pick-up program, wherein partner agencies pick up food donations directly from local retail stores. Donations from retailers to the Food Bank’s warehouses in Auburn, Biddeford, and Brewer also grew.
In addition, the Food Bank more than doubled its purchases of local vegetables, fruits, and other Maine-grown products and saw an increase in donations from local growers.
“While we are certainly proud of what our network was able to accomplish in 2014, it’s clear there is much more work to be done,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “More than 17 million meals for Mainers who face hunger is a step in the right direction, but Maine still has a significant meal gap. While we continue to get more nutritious food to families in need, our state needs to work together to find a long-term solution to hunger.”
Research by Feeding America, a national hunger relief charity, shows that more than 36 million meals are missing from Maine tables each year.
For statistics on hunger and poverty, photos, or interview requests, please contact Clara Whitney at cwhitney@gsfb.org or (207) 782-3554 ext. 1166.
About Good Shepherd Food Bank
As the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank provides for Mainers facing hunger by distributing nutritious food to 600 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, and youth programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. In 2014, the Food Bank distributed more than 21 million pounds of food to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine. Website: www.feedingmaine.org; Phone: (207) 782-3554; Facebook: www.facebook.com/feedingmaine; Twitter: www.twitter.com/feedingmaine.