Focusing on NutritionThe Food Bank is making big strides toward bringing healthier foods to Mainers in need
While Good Shepherd Food Bank has been committed to feeding Maine's hungry for more than 30 years, within the past few years we have dedicated ourselves to becoming not just a Food Bank, but a "Nutrition Bank" for Mainers in need.
In order to ensure we're providing nutritious meals to Maine families who lack access to fresh, healthy food, the Food Bank has increased the amount of nutritious food we distribute to food pantries and meal sites across the state. In 2009, 33% of the food GSFB provided was fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy. In 2012, we increased these healthy items to 51% of our total distribution. In addition, we distributed many other healthy items such as whole grain breads and pastas.
Additionally, programs such as Mainers Feeding Mainers and Cooking Matters Maine are helping Good Shepherd Food Bank increase knowledge about cooking and nutrition in our communities.
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 Featured Program: Mainers Feeding Mainers
In 2012, the Food Bank distributed 900,000 lbs. of locally grown foods thanks to our partnerships with more than 20 Maine farms. Of that 900,000 lbs., 400,000 lbs. was purchased from the farmers and 500,000 lbs. was donated. Learn more about the program >
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Portland High School Key Club Launches First School-based Pantry in Maine
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Students from Portland High's Key Club choose food for the new School Pantry
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Students from Portland High School's Key Club have partnered with
Good Shepherd Food Bank to start a school-based food pantry.
The students recently visited the Food Bank to take part in training on best practices in food pantry management. After the training, Key Club members selected food from the Food Bank for a distribution and assembled food packages for fellow students.
"We are happy to help the Key Club in their efforts to provide food for their fellow students," said Shannon Coffin, program manager at the Food Bank. "One in four children in Maine are not getting enough nutritious food to allow them to live a healthy life and thrive in school. If we're able to reach those children while they're in school and provide them with food for other family members as well, that's a big win for hunger relief."
Portland High School's School Pantry will be the first school-based pantry launched in collaboration with Good Shepherd Food Bank in the state of Maine. Learn more about Portland Key Club's School Pantry >
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Dead River Company to be Honored at 6th Annual JoAnn Pike Humanitarian Award
The 2013 JoAnn Pike Humanitarian Award Dinner will take place April 4 at the Food Bank's Auburn warehouse. We will honor Dead River Company for its outstanding commitment to serving Maine communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
This year's event will showcase many of the Food Bank's programs aimed at ending hunger and improving nutrition. Highlights will include:
- A performance by the Pihcintu Multinational Children's Choir;
- A video showcasing the latest advances in the Food Bank's journey to end hunger in Maine;
- Specially designed food courses that will help tell the story of our work, prepared by some of Maine's preeminent chefs, including James Beard award-winner Rob Evans.
To learn more about the JoAnn Pike Humanitarian Award Dinner and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website.
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A Will to End Hunger
Did you know, you have the opportunity to provide for our neighbors facing hunger for years to come by including Good Shepherd Food Bank in your will?
If you are considering a bequest to the Food Bank, we encourage you to contact our Development office at (207) 782-3554 ext. 1124. You can also learn more on our website.
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Did You Know?
The number of people struggling with hunger in Maine is equal to the populations of Portland, Auburn, Lewiston, Augusta, Bangor, and Biddeford combined.
They are
2 0 0, 0 0 0 of our:
neighbors friends family members children
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Events & Campaigns
Food Bank Night at the Portland Pirates
Join us at the Pirates game on March 16! We will be collecting nonperishable food donations. Bring a donation and receive a ticket to an upcoming game. Purchase tickets>
PS It Matters offers more than 250 specialty food items and unique gifts from talented regional producers. Each time an order is placed, the customer can direct 15% of profits to the Food Bank.
Choose Electricity ME as your power supplier and the company will make a $5 donation to fight hunger in Maine.
Charity Miles is an app for iPhone and Android devices that directs money to charity each time you exercise outside. Simply download the app, then use it to select one of 10 charities at the start of each workout. If you select Feeding America, a portion of your earned donation will go to Good Shepherd Food Bank.
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| Good Shepherd
Food Bank
3121 Hotel Road
PO Box 1807
Auburn, ME 04211
(207) 782-3554
111 Pine Tree Ind. Pkwy.
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 761-0542
88 Stevens Road
Brewer, ME 04412
(207) 989-4672
www.feedingmaine.org
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