The Campaign to
End Hunger
in Maine
In 2015, Good Shepherd Food Bank created the Campaign to End Hunger with the intention to give Mainers access to the nutritious food they need to thrive, when and where they need it.
To achieve those aspirations, we set out to raise $250 million in both food and monetary donations to close Maine’s meal gap – the estimated number of meals missing from the plates of Mainers each year.
The statewide campaign led to unique collaborations and unprecedented levels of support that helped build the capacity and scale needed to close Maine’s meal gap for the first time in our history.
While the campaign concluded in June 2023, it left a lasting impact on people across the state. It also helped lay the foundation in ensuring a food-secure future for all Mainers.
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and trust that helped us reach this critical milestone. Thank you to the staff, partners, and more than 50,000 donors who made a bold goal a reality.
Read on to learn more about our landmark campaign and your collective impact on the lives of people experiencing hunger across Maine.
Impact at a glance
120m
Meals distributed over the four-year campaign
600k
Pounds of culturally relevant foods provided
10m
Pounds of fresh, Maine-grown produce distributed
$162m
Raised in food donations
$105m
Monetary funds raised
$12+m
Granted directly to community partners
Your Investment at Work
Impact Report
The Campaign’s Path
2015: The bold goal was created
Our path to the Campaign to End Hunger in Maine begins after an extensive strategic planning process that would inform our work in the decade to follow. After coming off several years of growth, we wanted to be more proactive in our approach and shift from year-to-year planning to long-term thinking. We went from asking ourselves “what can we do this year based on these resources” to “what does Maine need us to be”?
So, a bold goal was created, where by 2025 all food insecure Mainers would have access to the nutritious, culturally relevant food they need, when and where they need it. In doing so, it would help stabilize the lives of the people we serve, reduce the impact of hunger in our state, and make Maine a stronger, more resilient place to work and live.
In order to meet the bold goal, we set out to raise $250 million in donated food and funds over the course of the campaign which would require inspiring unprecedented levels of generosity.
A Case to Inspire Generosity
2019-2022: Great strides were made
- 2019 – Quiet phase launched
Campaign feasibility study and quiet phase launched, with Hannaford secured as lead donor. Food distribution increased by more than 30% from 2015, thanks in part to the opening of our Hampden facility. - 2020 – Spike in need was met with unique solutions
The pandemic hit, causing a focus on short-term solutions to address the urgent, increased need. Unique public-private partnerships were formed, which led to Maine’s lowest rate of hunger in 20 years. - 2021 – Supporters flocked to help their neighbors
The pandemic sparked unprecedented generosity that allowed us to innovate and adapt during the heightened challenges. We also reached 51,000 donors participating, including a $25M gift from MacKenzie Scott. - 2022 – Meals increased with generosity
At the halfway point of the campaign, over 80% of the goal was met and we increased distribution to 29M meals, from just over 19M in 2015.
2023: The campaign was concluded
Along with our staff, partners, and generous donors by our side, we successfully built the capacity and scale to close Maine’s meal gap for the first time in our 40+ year history. This resulted in the distribution of a record 33.6M meals to families, children, and older Mainers experiencing hunger – more meals than ever before.
Having met both the monetary and food goals set, in June of 2023, we marked an early, successful finish to the Campaign to End Hunger in Maine.
This success was made possible through the partnership of many, including the more than 50,000 donors who helped raise more than $162 million in donated food and nearly $105 million in funds.
Thank you for helping propel our work to new heights in the fight against hunger!
Leadership Support to End Hunger in Maine
Ending hunger is a shared effort, made possible by thousands of individuals, businesses, and organizations who believe in a future where everyone has reliable access to the food we all need to thrive.
We are especially grateful to the leadership donors whose extraordinary investments—each totaling $1 million or more—helped build the foundation for this campaign. Their commitment accelerated progress, strengthened partnerships across the state, and ensured that critical systems and infrastructure are in place for the work ahead.
This campaign reflects what is possible when people come together around a common purpose. We recognize these donors with deep appreciation for the role they have played in advancing a hunger-free Maine.
- Ann and Rick Bresnahan
- Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
- Joe and Jill Doyle
- Feeding America
- Hannaford Supermarkets
- Harold Alfond Foundation
- The Ludcke Foundation
- Next Generation Foundation
- Fritz and Susan Onion
- MacKenzie Scott
- Estate of Anne R. Stanley
The Road Ahead
Even as we pause to celebrate the successful conclusion of this landmark campaign, people impacted by hunger in Maine face a unique set of challenges as the strain of increased food costs, inflation, and the expiration of pandemic-era public benefits takes their toll.
As a result, we’re seeing a rise in poverty rates and high levels of food insecurity that surpass the early days of the pandemic. Many food pantries and other partners are reporting increased need, especially among populations that are already disproportionately impacted by hunger.
But the Food Bank stands in a position unlike any in our history, thanks to the trust and partnership of many, including more than 50,000 donors like you who helped make the Campaign to End Hunger a success.
Thank you for your partnership in helping us build a scope and scale that once felt nearly impossible. I know that by working together and using the momentum from the success of the campaign, we can end hunger for good.
“ In the 42 years since Hannaford Supermarkets helped found the Food Bank with JoAnn Pike, we’ve never seen a need like there is today. Let’s not let another generation pass us by. Let’s end hunger now. ”Mike Vail President of Hannaford Supermarkets
“ Good Shepherd Food Bank’s coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities. Supporters should feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly. ”
“ Giving back is at the foundation of what we do – and making this donation, which is designated to agency partners in our service area – is, quite simply, the right thing to do at this moment. ”
“ The Ludcke Foundation was committed to Good Shepherd Food Bank’s ambitious work prior to the pandemic, and we are proud to be continuing our support as the state of Maine rebounds from the lingering economic impact of COVID-19. ”
“ Under its community-driven strategies approach, Good Shepherd acts as a convener and neutral facilitator, allowing communities to decide how to use Good Shepherd’s funding to close their meal gaps. ”