President’s Report
I hope you and your family are making the most of each day because the new school year will be here before we know it. While many children (and parents) are excited for a new school year, the cost of back-to-school items brings added stress for Mainers who are experiencing hunger.
But we still have several weeks of summer left. Children need a steady source of nutritious food right now so they can return to the classroom feeling recharged, nourished, and ready to learn.
Our 90+ farm partners, located throughout the state of Maine, allow the Food Bank to make sure all Maine families have access to nutritious, local food. You’ll read about South Portland Middle School and Youth Full Maine, who both help deliver this farm-fresh food to families.
Generosity from supporters like you makes partnerships and community efforts like these possible.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Helping Hands and can see the lasting impact your past gifts have made. Your support truly matters to families across the state.
As we prepare for the back-to-school season, please consider making another gift today. Every $1 you give can help provide two meals. Help us give every child a strong, healthy start to the upcoming school year.
With deepest gratitude,
Heather Paquette
President
Candice, a teacher with two children,
still loves to learn — and she’s learned a LOT at Auburn PAL!
Helping Mainers When Times Get Tough
Even though Candice is a teacher, she’s constantly learning new things.
For example, coming to the Auburn Police Activities League (PAL), a partner of Good Shepherd Food Bank, has taught her how to stretch her hard-earned income further than she ever could before.
“It’s so huge in extending [our] budget,” Candice says. “Because since COVID, the grocery store, I think it’s doubled pretty much for a lot of items.”
Her kids came to the Auburn PAL after-school program before COVID-19 began, but she discovered during the pandemic that the location also provides much-needed food assistance.
Since then, Candice has learned about the many new ways she can incorporate the healthy foods she receives from the pantry. Food at Auburn PAL is not only nutritious, but enables her family to try new things and expand the variety of foods they eat.
“Sometimes we get stuff I wouldn’t normally try. So it’s kind of branched us out in a good way.”
Still, they enjoy sticking to their favorite comfort foods — delicious dinners like tacos and quesadillas, chicken pasta with tomato sauce, and what Candice likes to call her “girl meals.”
“I make my own little cheese and meat charcuterie boards. I feel fancy, but really I’m not cooking. It’s a grown-up Lunchables, is all it really is!” she says with a laugh.
Generous supporters like you offer Candice and her family a lifeline all summer long.
“It just helps our community, because it is hard … just the cost of living, it’s really hard on us. This is something that takes the edge off. We’re grateful.”
We’re grateful, too! Friends like you help make summer brighter for families like Candice’s.
Your continued support means Good Shepherd Food Bank
can help provide food to Mainers this summer!
“It’s Been a Blessing”
Michael is a dedicated father of five. He’s a big advocate for his children, who are growing up way too fast. But all he wants is to see them thrive, and to make sure they have the tools they need to live a good life.
“I’m trying to teach my kids the more knowledge you have, the better off you are,” Michael says. “I don’t want them to have to do what I did my whole life.”
He’s referring to his construction job, which he worked for the better part of 22 years. Sadly, a workplace accident caused him injuries that he continues to deal with to this day.
As a result, he’s no longer able to work. He gets a disability check each month, but it just isn’t enough to cover the basic necessities his family needs. Plus, with the added high cost of food these days, Michael feels an even tighter squeeze on his budget.
That’s why he’s grateful he can turn to the Auburn Police Activities League (PAL) for support. The PAL food pantry, a partner of Good Shepherd Food Bank, helps him stretch his limited income to ensure his family has the food they need — and the program provides activities for his children after school and during the summer months.
“It’s been a blessing being able to come here,” Michael says. “The PAL Center has been a godsend for a lot of kids in this area. And if it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t eat because I make sure my kids eat first.”
Thank you for helping families like Michael’s during the summer months … and beyond!
Tara (left) and Courtney (right) work hard
to build a hunger-free future for Maine children.
Fueling Brighter Futures
Tara and Courtney are just two of the people working to keep the communities around South Portland Middle School nourished, clothed, and cared for. The school runs on a unique, community-driven model that helps meet children and their families right where they are.
“We’re the only community school in all of Maine,” says Tara Rivera, a site coordinator at South Portland Middle School. “Instead of looking at children just like students, we look at them as human beings who live in a family, who live in a community.”
The school provides comprehensive support by integrating services like a clothing closet, food pantry, and even an on-site health clinic for medical, dental, and eye care.
But what happens when school is out for summer break? We’re glad you asked! Through a hunger-relief partnership with the Locker Project, South Portland Middle School transforms into a communal space during the summer months, providing free breakfasts and lunches for all families through Fresh Food Events and connecting neighbors with additional resources.
“It’s like a hub for families to come and just feel more comfortable,” says Courtney Bowers, South Portland Program Manager for the Locker Project.
By collaborating with local farms and partners like Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Locker Project prioritizes dignity and inclusivity, offering fresh, high-quality produce and culturally relevant foods to nourish the diverse communities in South Portland.
“In the summertime, I feel like we have a little bit more flexibility in what we bring because we’re working with a lot more farmers, and we’re able to order specific things,” says Courtney.
That means more nourishing foods, such as fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, and meat products, go right to the tables of Maine families.
Together, we’re making essential resources accessible to Mainers all year round — and helping every child access the nourishing foods they need to learn, grow, and thrive!
Cheryl is raising a big family, and Youth Full Maine
is there to help by giving her access to food and support.
Their Full House Needed a Helping Hand
Cheryl’s house is never quiet. And that’s a good thing!
As foster parents, she and her husband have anywhere between eight to 10 kids in their house at a time.
“We have five adopted children. We have two childcare children, and then the neighborhood just comes and never wants to leave!” Cheryl says.
She’s also a Cub Scout leader and stay-at-home mom who does all she can to provide for the children who need her.
But feeding so many children in today’s economy is no easy feat, especially during the summer months when there are no free school meals they can rely on. That’s why Cheryl has been visiting Youth Full Maine’s food distribution sites for nearly six years now. The support has been critical, allowing her to serve healthier meals to her bustling household.
“My kids are really big on fresh fruits and veggies,” she says. “The number one fan favorite is Brussels sprouts.”
Having access to fresh produce has been a game changer for her children. But visiting Youth Full Maine, a partner of Good Shepherd Food Bank, has also taught her children the importance of looking out for others, too.
“Now that summer has hit, they’ve been coming with me and volunteering on the Biddeford food drives. My kids love it, and I love that they appreciate it more because they can see everybody as they’re helping.”
Your support helps us keep local pantry shelves stocked with healthy food. Thank you for helping families like Cheryl’s access the nourishing foods they need this summer and beyond!