First National Bank Pledges to Help End Hunger in Maine with $50,000 Commitment to Good Shepherd Food Bank
Hampden, ME – First National Bank has announced a $50,000 gift to Good Shepherd Food Bank for improvements to the organization’s Hampden food distribution center. This enhanced facility will allow Good Shepherd Food Bank to ensure that people in northern, eastern, and central Maine who are struggling with hunger have year-round access to local produce, dairy, meat, and seafood products.
“We are grateful for First National Bank’s leadership support of our Hampden facility renovations, which will include the addition of state-of-the-art cold storage units to store fresh, perishable food for distribution across the state,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “Thanks to partnerships with Maine farmers and funding from private and state sources, we are poised to significantly increase the pounds of fresh produce we distribute to local hunger relief agencies over the next 3 years. Our renovated Hampden facility will make this goal a reality.”
“As a native of Eastport, Maine, I know that food insecurity is a problem that persists broadly across the state and especially in our north and eastern most counties,” said Tony McKim, president of First National Bank. “We are all aware of the importance of access to healthy food to address health issues of our society. I am proud that First National Bank is funding the infrastructure necessary to provide nutritious, locally sourced food to our neighbors in need.”
Good Shepherd Food Bank purchased its Hampden facility in 2015 from the Bangor Daily News. The building formerly served as the printing plant for the newspaper. The Food Bank transferred its regional operation from a location in Brewer and has been distributing food to local hunger relief charities out of the space since March 2016.
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 more than 400 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, and senior 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 2015, the Food Bank distributed more than 20 million meals 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 First National Bank
First National Bank has been serving the financial needs of Maine people since 1864, with banking and investment management offices in 15 communities along the coast and in Bangor. For more information about First National Bank please call 1-800-564-3195 or visit www.thefirst.com. Find us on Facebook.
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