Food Shoppers’ Milk Donations to Benefit Mainers Facing Hunger
The Great American Milk Drive “Gallon Give” Event on Saturday, September 20 will allow consumers to directly donate a gallon (or two) for Maine families in need
WHAT: “The Great American Milk Drive” is a national initiative, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and Feeding America, aimed at providing highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most. As part of local efforts to promote the Great American Milk Drive, Hannaford Supermarkets, dairy brands HP Hood and Cabot, the Maine Dairy Promotion Board/Dairy & Nutrition Council, and Maine dairy farmers have teamed up to host a “Gallon Give” Milk Drive on Saturday, September 20. Hannaford customers will have the opportunity to purchase a gallon of milk and donate it to Good Shepherd Food Bank simply by delivering it to a refrigerated truck at the entrance of the store.
WHEN: Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: The following Hannaford Supermarkets locations:
Falmouth – 65 Gray Road
Gray – 130 Shaker Road
Auburn – 95 Spring Street
Lewiston – 692 Sabattus Street
Turner – 23 Snell Hill Road
WHY: One in seven Maine households relies on their local hunger relief charity for food assistance. Given that more than 200,000 Mainers are considered food insecure, it means that far too many Maine families do not have access to the nutritious food they need to live healthy lives. By providing nutrient-dense foods such as milk to Good Shepherd Food Bank and its network of local food pantry partners, we can help provide struggling Maine families with the healthy foods they need.
Milk provides protein and other essential nutrients, and while milk is one of the top items requested by food pantry clients, it’s rarely donated due to its perishable nature. The Gallon Give event will provide Good Shepherd Food Bank with a large amount of nutritious milk to provide to food pantries across the state.
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 2013, the Food Bank distributed more than 15 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.
About Maine Dairy Promotion Board/Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council
The two dairy check-off organizations in Maine are affiliates of United Dairy Industry, Dairy Management Inc., and National Dairy Council. Their roles are to promote, educate and encourage the consumption of nutritious dairy products. They are funded by Maine dairy farmers and processors. Both organization are non-profit and were established in 1953 and 1948 respective. For more information about the two organizations visit www.drinkmainemilk.org.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 185 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All Hannaford stores feature Guiding Stars, America’s first storewide nutrition navigation system, and most stores have full-service pharmacies. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.