Hunger in Maine can be eliminated. It will take both the public and private sector to join in a determined partnership to address the economic, political, and personal barriers that contribute to hunger. Maine credit unions and the Maine Credit Union League work closely with local food pantries, schools, and two partner programs, Good Shepherd Food Bank and Full Plates Full Potential, to ensure Mainers in need have access to healthy, nutritious meals. Through these entities, we continue to fight hunger in Maine and strive to see a day when every Mainer is food secure.
The mission of Good Shepherd Food Bank is to eliminate hunger in Maine by improving access to nutritious food for people in need, building strong community partnerships, and mobilizing the public in the fight to end hunger.
Distribution of food to those in need is accomplished with the collaborative efforts of other nonprofit agencies. Today the Food Bank partners with more than 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and other community programs in every county in the state.
In addition to distributing food to Mainers in need, the Food Bank is leading a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. We welcome you to join us in this effort!
Full Plates Full Potential is a coalition of community leaders, stakeholders, and advocates working to end child hunger in Maine.
Today, 43% of all Maine Public School children rely on school meals to get the nutrition they need. And even though these students qualify for school meals, too many of them face barriers to accessing school meals. Full Plates Full Potential works to ensure that every eligible child has access to nutritious food so that they can learn, grow and thrive.
Full Plates Full Potential’s work focuses on increasing participation in school breakfast, afterschool meals, and summer meal programs. Through advocacy, technical assistance, and our FEED KIDS Grants, they work directly with schools across the state to help them feed more kids.
