Letter From the Food Bank
Dear Friend,
Recent statistics from Feeding America estimate that 5.5 million people age 60 and over experience hunger in the United States. That’s 1 out of every 14 seniors across the country.
Every state is home to older adults who face hunger, and Maine is no exception.
Older Mainers living on fixed incomes often face impossible choices. Do they pay their utility bill or buy groceries? Do they pay for prescription medications, or do they buy food? These are choices none of us should have to make.
With your help, we’re working hard to relieve the burden of hunger for older Mainers, but there’s still a lot of work to do. I’m sure you share my passion to ensure that they don’t face hunger in the coming years … starting now!
I hope you’ll consider making a gift to Good Shepherd Food Bank to help provide nourishing food for Mainers, especially older neighbors. Remember, every $1 can help provide two meals. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
With gratitude,
Heather Paquette
President
“It’s Hard to Ask for Help”
Cindy, 69, has been visiting our partner, Augusta Food Bank, for several months, and she looks forward to every single visit.
However, Cindy only visits the pantry when she feels it’s necessary. She knows many creative ways to help stretch her food and make it last as long as possible. One method she uses is canning fresh produce, particularly vegetables. That way she has some for later, especially if she’s not up to leaving the house.
After she retired from the manufacturing industry six years ago, Cindy noticed several health issues crop up, including arthritis and bone spurs. Most of the time, it was hard for her to move around comfortably.
She even had to undergo rotator cuff surgery on her shoulder, which made her everyday routine more challenging.
That’s why the Augusta Food Bank is such a lifeline for Mainers like her, who live on a fixed income.
She loves sharing food tips and tricks with the people she meets when she picks up food.
“Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help,” she says. “But they’re so nice and helpful here. They’re wonderful people.”
Your support helps put healthy food on the table for older Mainers on a limited budget. Thank you!
Filled With Gratitude
Every Thursday, Leonard makes sure to stop by the Augusta Food Bank, a partner of Good Shepherd Food Bank. Leonard was caught between a rock and a hard place. He wasn’t financially prepared for early retirement, and the pandemic forced him out of work sooner than he expected.
What’s more, his children are all grown up and moved away. He doesn’t want to worry them, even though he has a bit of trouble getting by these days. So, he found somewhere else to turn for support.
“This is the most wonderful food bank,” Leonard says. “You get to pick out the foods you eat, and it’s all so good.”
Leonard says the Augusta Food Bank helps him stretch his food budget so he can afford to pay his other bills and save more on his groceries. He knows how much it means to others in our communities, too.
“Without this place,” Leonard shares, “a lot more people would go hungry.”
Having a pantry to rely on means older Mainers can avoid tough choices and still have healthy food to eat.
Giving Back, Together
Volunteers are the “beating heart” of the charitable food network.
Take Samantha and Camden, for example. This mother-son duo happily devotes their Wednesdays to the Saco Food Pantry, a partner of Good Shepherd Food Bank.
For Samantha, volunteering with her 12-year-old son during the summer holds a very special significance. She loves that it gives them the opportunity to bond while giving back.
“This gives us something to do together that gives back to our community,” she expressed.
Because Camden is so young, there are not many places in the area for him to volunteer. “We love coming here.”
The joy they feel from helping others is what keeps them returning to the pantry again and again.
Samantha and Camden are just some of the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time and effort to Maine’s charitable food network. These volunteers help distribute fresh produce, stock pantry shelves, and more, while also getting a chance to make a difference.
Both donors and volunteers play a meaningful role in making nutritious food more accessible for families facing hunger. Thank you for your support.
Welcome, Heather!
We are excited to welcome Heather Paquette as the new president of Good Shepherd Food Bank!
Heather is a proven team leader and an energetic innovator who will complement our existing strong team and lead the organization into a future fueled by diverse partnerships and rooted in our vision of a Maine without food insecurity.
“This is the most wonderful food bank,” Leonard says. “You get to pick out the foods you eat, and it’s all so good.”
Heather comes to the Food Bank after a dynamic 24-year career with the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA, including 22 years at Hannaford Supermarkets. A passionate leader and learner, she has helped champion equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts in previous roles.
“It’s an incredible honor, and I’m very humbled to join an organization focused on giving back to our communities and working to end hunger every day,” says Heather. In addition to her professional experience, Heather’s extensive community service experience includes serving on the boards of the March of Dimes, Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine, and United Way of Southern Maine Tocqueville Society.
Heather grew up in Biddeford and attended the University of Southern Maine. She resides in Scarborough with her husband and two children. Heather is looking forward to getting to know the Food Bank’s donors and community partners in the coming months!
“It Helps Us Make Ends Meet”
John never would have predicted that he and his wife would come to a local food pantry for help. He worked hard for the county for most of his life, later settling into work as a truck driver. They maintained a steady income for years.
In addition to his own health problems, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and experiences cardiac issues.
“It’s been rough. This place really helps us make ends meet,” John says of his local pantry.
Thanks to the food he receives from Augusta Food Bank, John doesn’t have to spend so much on his grocery bill. Instead, he can focus on paying for other essentials like rent or medicine.
Now, John and his wife can fill the gap between what they can afford and what they need to be healthy.
“They’re heroes,” John says of the staff, volunteers, and supporters like you who make the help he receives possible. When resources get tight, having a welcoming pantry nearby makes a big difference. Thank you!