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The Campaign to

End Hunger

in Maine

Thank you for making the campaign a success!

The campaign ended in June of 2023 and its success was made possible through the partnership of many, including the more than 50,000 donors who helped raise more than $162 million in donated food and nearly $105 million in funds.

Read on to learn more about our landmark campaign and its impact on the lives of people across Maine.

The Bold Goal

Our path to the Campaign to End Hunger in Maine began after an extensive strategic planning process that would inform our work in the decade to follow. After coming off several years of growth, we wanted to be more proactive in our approach and shift from year-to-year planning to long-term thinking. We went from asking ourselves “what can we do this year based on these resources” to “what does Maine need us to be”? 

Which is why in 2015 Good Shepherd Food Bank created a bold goal where by 2025 all food insecure Mainers would have access to the nutritious, culturally relevant food they need, when and where they need it. In doing so, it would help stabilize the lives of the people we serve, reduce the impact of hunger in our state, and make Maine a stronger, more resilient place to work and live.

To achieve those aspirations, we aimed to raise $250 million in both food and monetary donations to close Maine’s meal gap – the annual number of statewide meals missing from households after accounting for food purchased with individual resources or accessed through the federal safety net.

With you by our side, and together with our network of over 600 partners across the state, the Food Bank successfully built the capacity and scale needed to close Maine’s meal gap in June 2023 for the first time in our 40+ year history.

Impact Report:

Your Investment in the Campaign to End Hunger in Maine

The Campaign Priorities

With your partnership and philanthropic support, we made significant progress on the top priorities and ambitions of the Campaign to End Hunger.

  • Increase access to more nutritious and culturally relevant food – Over $165 million from large-scale food donations and almost $53 million of campaign cash, has been invested in meeting the need for food for today.
  • Advocate and ensure equity – Nearly $9 million dollars has been invested in providing equitable, long-term solutions.
  • Invest in innovative solutions – Nearly $14.5 million was used to invest in innovative solutions.
  • Build a safety net – Over $8 million was used to build a safety net, ensuring we can continue to innovate sustainably in times of diminished resources or increased community needs.

impact at a glance

120m

Meals distributed over the four-year campaign

600k

Pounds of culturally relevant foods provided

10m

Pounds of fresh, Maine-grown produce distributed

$162m

Raised in food donations

$105m

Monetary funds raised

$12+m

Granted directly to community partners

The Road Ahead

While we know that our work isn’t done and food insecurity still exists in Maine, we are working on a strategic plan for a future where neighbors will not only have enough food today, but also next week, next month, and next year.

In the meantime, we will continue to work with our partners to distribute nutritious, culturally relevant food to neighbors experiencing hunger across the state.

From the local student who needs nutritious food to fuel their day, to the older Mainer who is juggling the costs of prescriptions, rent, and healthy meals.

Thank you for your support of the Campaign to End Hunger in Maine and for helping families experiencing hunger across the state. Your contributions have been instrumental in propelling us to new heights in our work, helping build a scope and scale that once felt nearly impossible.

Together we will continue building a future where all Mainers are food secure.

Hannaford Supermarkets logo
In the 42 years since Hannaford Supermarkets helped found the Food Bank with JoAnn Pike, we’ve never seen a need like there is today. Let’s not let another generation pass us by. Let’s end hunger now.
Mike Vail President of Hannaford Supermarkets

Since 1981, Good Shepherd Food Bank has led the fight against hunger in Maine

Make a Donation

 

Since 1981, Good Shepherd Food Bank has led the fight against hunger in Maine Inset
Michael Thatcher, Charity Navigator
Good Shepherd Food Bank’s coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities. Supporters should feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly.
Andrew Silsby, Kennebec Savings Bank
Giving back is at the foundation of what we do – and making this donation, which is designated to agency partners in our service area – is, quite simply, the right thing to do at this moment.
The Ludcke Foundation
The Ludcke Foundation was committed to Good Shepherd Food Bank’s ambitious work prior to the pandemic, and we are proud to be continuing our support as the state of Maine rebounds from the lingering economic impact of COVID-19.
Food Bank News
Under its community-driven strategies approach, Good Shepherd acts as a convener and neutral facilitator, allowing communities to decide how to use Good Shepherd’s funding to close their meal gaps.