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NATION’S NETWORK OF FOOD BANKS UNITES TO RAISE HUNGER AWARENESS DURING SEPTEMBER’S HUNGER ACTION MONTH™

Good Shepherd Food Bank Turns Orange to Help Solve Hunger in Maine

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Auburn, ME – (August 27, 2014) – Hunger advocates from Maine and across the country will be wearing orange on Thursday, September 4 in an effort to raise awareness of the 49 million people in the United States who struggle with hunger. It’s just one of the many awareness events taking place throughout the month of September in recognition of Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month – a month-long campaign to help end hunger in our country.

Throughout September, Good Shepherd Food Bank and its network of local partner agencies, along with other food banks in the nationwide Feeding America network, will engage in Hunger Action Month by holding events throughout the country to inspire people to take action to help the millions of people who are food insecure in the United States.

In addition to “going orange” on September 4, the Food Bank will be raising awareness at the Lake Auburn Half Marathon, 5K, and Bike Tour on September 14. The Food Bank will also host a “Gallon Give” Milk Drive at select Hannaford locations with the Maine Dairy Promotion Board on September 20.

Good Shepherd Food Bank is encouraging people to engage in Hunger Action Month by helping out at their local food pantry or meal site, volunteering at the Food Bank in Auburn, or raising awareness about hunger with their family and friends.

“With one in six Americans facing hunger, this problem should be at the top of everyone’s minds,” says Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “Hunger Action Month gives us the opportunity to bring this issue to the forefront and it mobilizes people to get involved. We are encouraging all Mainers to find a way to take part in Hunger Action Month.”

According to the USDA, 49 million Americans are food insecure which means they lack access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life. This includes 16 million children and nearly five million seniors.

Here in Maine, 15 percent of the population struggles with hunger, including more than 64,000 children.

“There is more than enough food to feed every man, woman and child in this country, yet one in six Americans are facing hunger,” said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. “By raising awareness and working together, we can solve hunger.”

You can learn more about Hunger Action Month and download a “30 Ways in 30 Days” calendar, which lists a different way to get involved for every day of September, at gsfb.org/hunger-action-month.

Sponsorship for Hunger Action Month activities at Good Shepherd Food Bank is being provided by TD Bank.

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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:  feedingmaine.org; Phone:  (207) 782-3554; Facebook: facebook.com/feedingmaine; Twitter: twitter.com/feedingmaine.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, community kitchens, and emergency shelters across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Contact:

Clara Whitney
Good Shepherd Food Bank
(207) 272-3865
cwhitney@gsfb.org