Maine Dems to Raise Funds to Provide 16,000 Meals Across State
Today, the Maine Democratic Party announced they will host a Virtual Food Drive in support of the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine starting Wednesday, December 9 and ending in early January 2021. The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine is an organization dedicated to eliminating hunger in Maine by improving access to nutritious food for Mainers in need. The Maine Democratic Party has set a goal to raise enough funds to provide 16,000 meals across the state.
“More than one in 10 Maine households are considered food insecure––including one in five children. The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine is on the front lines fighting hunger in our state, and the work that they’ve been doing to meet increased need during the pandemic is crucial,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “We’re proud to support the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine to give back to individuals and families in need right here in our local communities.”
Tax deductible donations can be made by visiting www.mainedems.org/fooddrive. Every $1 raised provides three meals for Maine families in need. In addition to partnering with local county and municipal Democratic committees to raise funds for the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine this holiday season, the Maine Democratic Party will match the first 3,000 meals donated.
“We’ve asked a lot of Maine Democrats this year, and we know this has been an incredibly tough year for all Mainers as we weather this public health crisis,” Marra continued. “Before the pandemic, Maine suffered from high hunger rates, and the coronavirus has only made those problems worse. It’s incumbent upon us all to do everything in our power to lift up our neighbors in need, and we hope our supporters will join us in this effort to put food on the table for thousands of Mainers this holiday season.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, prior to the start of the pandemic, 13.6 percent of Maine households were food insecure, which was higher than the national average of 11.17 percent. Food insecurity is even more acute for families with children and for older Mainers. One in five children are food insecure, and nearly one in three older Mainers struggle to access enough food.
The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine partners with more than 500 local organizations across the state, representing the largest network of food insecurity relief agencies in Maine. The organization works with food pantries, meal sites, schools, senior centers and health care centers to distribute tens of millions of pounds of food to Mainers in need. In 2019, they distributed 25 million meals through their network of local partner agencies.
###