A Day on the Road with a Food Bank Driver – Hampden Distribution Center

April 13, 2026

At Good Shepherd Food Bank, the ability to provide consistent access to nutritious food across Maine is powered by many forces, including dedicated volunteers, generous donors, community support, and drivers who transport food to partner organizations every day. Rain or shine, these drivers deliver essential resources to communities across the state. We joined Luke Martin, a driver from the Hampden Distribution Center, to see a day in his life. Luke has been with the Food Bank for nearly three years, and during that time, he has become a trusted and familiar presence at many partner locations.

Luke’s route covers the northern parts of Maine, while the Auburn Distribution Center typically covers partners located in central and southern regions. On an early spring Friday, we joined him for a scenic drive through Hancock and Washington counties. The route passed through the stunning Acadia National Park, meandering along country roads with breathtaking coastal views. It was a day that highlighted the impact of his work and the strong connections he helps maintain with pantries and community partners across the state.

A Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine truck is parked on a roadside with trees, water, and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A cloudy sky over a lake with mountains in the distance, trees by the shore, and a red house and monument in a grassy, brown field.

Beneath that beauty, though, is a quieter reality. In Hancock County, 12.7% or 1 in 8 residents are food insecure, while in Washington County, that number climbs closer to 17.1% or 1 in 6 people, among the highest rates in Maine. Many families here depend on the short summer tourist season to get by. When visitors fill the towns, restaurants and shops bustle, and work is easier to find. But those months pass quickly. As the crowds fade, so do many of the jobs, and consistent access to food becomes harder to maintain. That contrast is not always visible to those visiting.

As we made our way through this picturesque part of Maine, Luke shared stories of the deep connections he’s built with the pantry staff and volunteers. These relationships are the heart of his work. Luke is known for being a friendly familiar face that is reliable and always willing to lend a hand when needed. His route that day was filled with stops at food pantries Down East that each play a unique role in their communities.

Our first stop was Common Good Soup Kitchen, a special place in Southwest Harbor, Maine, a charming town on Mount Desert Island known for its coastal beauty, artistic community, and welcoming small-town atmosphere.

Every year, the pantry makes and sells delicious homemade popovers, an iconic treat loved by locals and visitors. In the summer months, you can enjoy these popovers while listening to live music. Every year, all the proceeds from the popovers go directly to supporting the pantry, providing resources, especially during the long winters and shoulder seasons when fewer visitors are in the area.

We were greeted by their Executive Director, Debi, who has fantastic energy and a heartwarming smile. She leads with passion and dedication, carrying forward the pantry’s mission while honoring its roots. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear how much she values both the people she helps and the sense of community the pantry creates.

The Common Good Soup Kitchen plays an important role in Southwest Harbor, providing nutritious meals, groceries, and a welcoming space for people of all ages. It also hosts events and programs that strengthen community connections and support local families, continuing the vision that the founder set in motion many years ago.

A large white Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine truck is parked on a street near buildings under a cloudy sky.

Two people stand smiling in front of a Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine truck in a parking lot on a cloudy day.

A truck with partnering to end hunger parked outside a brick building with a sign reading Good Cafe near the entrance.

A cozy café wall decorated with framed art, fairy lights, and a large painting of a market scene; chairs are stacked on tables in the foreground.

Two women stand smiling in a room with shelves of food supplies, boxes, and pet products. The setting looks like a community or donation center.

Storefront of Common Good Cafe with a striped awning, glass windows displaying posters, and a sign reading Common Good Cafe above the entrance.

Next, we visited the newly relocated Bar Harbor Food Pantry in downtown Bar Harbor. Situated in the heart of town, the pantry benefits from passing foot traffic and is more accessible to those in need of food assistance. The move has allowed the pantry to expand outreach, offer more flexible hours, and increase the variety of foods and resources available. Local volunteers and donors play a key role in keeping the shelves stocked and programs running. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the staff is deeply committed to supporting everyone who relies on their services, from providing nutritious meals to offering guidance and referrals. The atmosphere is welcoming, organized, and focused on helping families, seniors, and individuals throughout the year.

A Good Shepherd Food Bank truck parked outside a building on a cloudy day, with leafless trees and a white van nearby.

A smiling man stands next to a pallet jack loaded with goods on a truck lift gate, ready for unloading on a wet street.

Entrance to Bar Harbor Food Pantry with a green door. Signs display hours, donation info, and a chalkboard advertises Fresh Food Friday for leftover perishables.

Boxes and pallets of food are stacked outside a food pantry building, with signs indicating it is for food distribution.

A woman in a red jacket stands smiling in a food pantry, surrounded by shelves stocked with cereal boxes, canned goods, and other food items.

A pallet with boxes of food wrapped in plastic, labeled Bar Harbor Food Pantry with a date of 3/27/2026. A green bag and a mesh bag of onions are on top.

Continuing along Luke’s route, The Schoodic Food Pantry, a TEFAP-only pantry (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), was our next stop. As we pulled up, the sound of Elvis Presley filled the air, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere. The staff and volunteers select different music genres for pantry days.

This pantry has a “shop model” that allows neighbors to choose the food they need and want, promoting dignity and choice for those who visit. The volunteers, who range in age from young community members to seasoned helpers, were busy stocking shelves and greeting neighbors, ready to assist them with their groceries. It was inspiring to see a new generation of volunteers stepping up alongside long-time helpers, and heartwarming to see how this pantry creates such a positive and uplifting environment for the community.

A small gray building with a green roof labeled Schoodic Food Pantry; people stand outside next to boxes and tables on a cloudy day.

Two smiling women wearing aprons stand in a food pantry surrounded by shelves stocked with food and supplies. One holds a clipboard; the other holds a notepad and pen.

A large delivery truck with its ramp down is parked on a lot near several cars, a building, and orange traffic cones on a cloudy day.

Our next stop was at a school partner location, a closet pantry at the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology (CWCIT) in Machias, Maine. This pantry is specifically for students, providing them with access to food when they need it most. It ensures that students have one less thing to worry about as they focus on their studies and hands-on technical training.

CWCIT is a regional career and technical education center offering programs in automotive technology, culinary arts, health sciences, welding, construction trades, and computer technology. Many students split their time between their home high schools and the institute, gaining practical skills and industry knowledge that prepare them for the workforce or further education. By providing a pantry on-site, CWCIT helps students meet their basic needs, supporting their success both academically and professionally. This pantry reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring students can thrive in all aspects of their education, from developing technical skills to having reliable access to nutritious food.

A man wearing glasses and a cap sits in a truck cab, writing on a clipboard with a pen.

A white semi-truck is parked outside the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology building on a cloudy day.

Two men in work clothes stand smiling in front of a Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine truck on a sunny day with leafless trees in the background.

From there, we shifted our focus to an organization supporting broader communities along the Maine coast. Maine Seacoast Mission provides food, clothing, and other essential resources for those in need. Their programs range from serving meals locally to delivering food to remote coastal communities, ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of where they live. Seeing their work first-hand highlighted the incredible impact they have in filling gaps where other services may not reach.

Throughout the day, Luke’s route took us to food pantries and organizations that each play unique roles in their communities. The dedication of the volunteers and pantry staff was evident at every stop, and it was clear that the food Luke delivered wasn’t just filling empty shelves; it was making a real difference in people’s lives.

A roadside sign reads Maine Seacoast Mission with a boat graphic above it. Trees, power lines, and a road with guardrails are in the background under a cloudy sky.

A smiling person stands next to a large stack of Fyffes banana boxes inside a truck trailer, ready for unloading or delivery.

A blue directional sign for Maine Seacoast Mission points to EdGE Center, Food Pantry, Weald Bethel Community Center, Housing Rehab Program, and Trails. A truck is parked nearby.

A white Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine truck is parked on a paved road under a cloudy sky, near trees and a small building.

A woman in a white sweater stands in front of grocery store shelves stocked with cereal boxes and canned goods, with empty baskets hanging on the left.

Good Shepherd Food Bank is proud to partner with organizations like Common Good Food Pantry, Bar Harbor Food Pantry, Schoodic Food Pantry, Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology, and Maine Seacoast Mission, to help end hunger in Maine. Luke Martin and all our drivers play an important role in putting our mission into action, delivering not just food, but essential support to the communities that need it most.