“We are excited to once again sponsor the Summer Food Service Program in Bangor and Brewer,” says Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “More than 85,000 Maine children depend on the National School Lunch program during the school year. Despite the availability of funding from the USDA, only about 17 percent of those students receive meals during the long summer break, due to a variety of obstacles such as lack of awareness and accessible sites. With our partners in the area, we’re working to make sure more kids in the Bangor region have nutritious meals this summer.”
The Food Bank estimates it will reach about 150 children daily with the Summer Lunch program. Meals are provided to all children under age 18 without charge.
In addition to the site partners, the Food Bank collaborates with many agencies to run the summer meals program, including Bangor School System, Maine Department of Education, Healthy Maine Partnerships, United Way of Eastern Maine, and Maine Hunger Initiative.
In an effort to help expand the Summer Food Service Program throughout the state, this year Good Shepherd Food Bank also offered small grants to other agencies seeking to launch or enhance summer meals sites. The Food Bank granted nearly $19,000 to seven schools and nonprofit organizations in seven different counties across the state. These grant funds will help improve access to and operation of Summer Food Service sites in areas such as Millinocket, Lubec, and Hiram.
For more information about the Summer Food Service Program, please contact Shannon Coffin at (207) 782-3554 x 1163 or scoffin@gsfb.org.
For statistics on poverty and hunger, photos, or interview requests, please contact Clara Whitney at (207) 782-3554 x 1166 or cwhitney@gsfb.org.
Summer Food Service Program meals are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
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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.