Healthcare Partners
Eliminating hunger with healthcare
In partnership with healthcare organizations across Maine, the Healthcare Partners Program helps clinicians identify food-insecure patients and connects them with the nutritious food they need to live healthy lives.
Through this program, Good Shepherd Food Bank offers technical training for medical staff on how to screen for food insecurity, resources about where to find food in their service area for patients who are food-insecure, and nutritious grocery items for patients in immediate need to take home from the clinical visit at no cost.
Our impact in healthcare
140K
At risk for hunger
One in seven Mainers lack regular access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life.
67%
Choose affordability
Food insecure families report purchasing more affordable but less nutritious food just to have enough.
160
Partner agencies
We have partnered with over 160 healthcare partners across the state to make meals more accessible.
10K
Mainers
Connected with nutritious and culturally relevant food through their healthcare provider.
625K
Meals
Provided to Mainers facing food insecurity.
Use the map to locate the Good Shepherd Food Bank-supported Healthcare Partner closest to you.
The impact of this program
Health Care Provider
“ We are very grateful to be able to participate in the program and feel it is very beneficial to our patients. ”
Health Care Provider
“ I’ve seen some elderly patients come in for other appointments that utilize the produce bags. I don’t know how they would have gotten food otherwise as they don’t have the transportation. ”
Health Care Provider
“ Very happy with our partnership with the Food Bank. We have received lots of support in the past that has benefited our community a great deal! ”
Patient
“ This project is wonderful. I was unaware of it until my doctor’s visit, and I was so thankful when they told me about it. I was thinking that whole day about what I was going to do for a meal that night, so it answered my prayers. ”
Healthcare Partners Resources
Join us in our efforts.
Partner Resources
Learn more about how you can better support your patients who are at risk for hunger.
Hunger Vital Signs
View and download Hunger Vital Signs
Food Safety Training
Train to inspect donated and purchased food, and to properly transport, store, and distribute food safely.
Healthcare Partners Team
Meet the team that supports our Healthcare Partners programs.
Martha Lefebvre
Community Connections Specialist
As a Community Connections Specialist (CCS), Martha works with partners located in Sagadahoc & Lincoln Counties and The Greater Portland Region. She holds a master’s degree in Policy, Planning, and Management and a certificate in Food Studies from the University of Maine’s Muskie School. She recently earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Martha is committed to closing the meal gap and promoting equity in food systems. She believes that everyone deserves a seat at the table and that fair, equitable food access is essential to thriving communities. Outside of work, she’s happiest when she’s out in nature, birding and learning about wildlife, or relaxing at home with her partner and their two cats and dog – who run the house.