Throughout October, Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger will be working to raise $100,000 to provide access to nutritious meals for those in need. Proceeds from the monthlong fundraiser will support Good Shepherd Food Bank, local food pantries, meal sites, and a new pilot program with Special Olympics Maine that will help athletes facing food insecurity.
“We encourage all of our partners to join us in helping to end hunger in our home state of Maine and are proud to support this monumental effort,” shared Randy Stolp, President of Synergent. “This is the fifth year of this month-long fundraiser to benefit programs statewide, and we are doing all we can to make a difference.”
Formerly held in June, the $100,000 Challenge has shifted to October to align with International Credit Union Day and remains our signature social responsibility initiative. Synergent is proud to be a Premium Contributor to this cause.
“We see firsthand how hunger impacts families and communities across Maine, and the support from Maine’s credit unions through the $100,000 Ending Hunger Challenge makes a meaningful difference,” stated Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. “By coming together through initiatives like this the Food Bank, alongside our 600 partner agencies, can provide more nutritious and culturally relevant meals and work toward a future where no Mainer has to worry about where their next meal will come from. We are deeply grateful for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign to End Hunger’s unwavering commitment to ending hunger in our state.”
What Is the Campaign for Ending Hunger?
Aligned with the shared principle of coming together to give back to their communities, credit unions across our state collectively participate in the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. This signature social responsibility campaign is the largest, non-hunger organization-based philanthropic fundraising effort to end hunger in Maine.
Since the program’s inception in 1990, over $13.5 million has been raised. In 2023 alone, credit unions contributed $1,221,868.94 to combat hunger. The amount includes food donations and contributions made by credit unions directly to hunger-relief organizations.
Funding comes from four sources:
- Credit Unions: Dollars raised by individual credit unions through fundraising activities such as payroll deduction, matching campaigns, raffles, sweepstakes, and events.
- Credit Union Chapters: Dollars raised by Maine’s eight credit union chapters from golf outings, auctions, and other activities.
- Maine Credit Union League/Synergent: Dollars raised by the Maine Credit Union League/Synergent from golf tournaments, auctions, and other activities.
- Other: Dollars raised from corporations (both in and outside Maine), individuals, vendors, and others who share our commitment to ending hunger.
The Campaign’s distributions are allocated to four primary categories: local food pantries, meal sites, schools, and Good Shepherd Food Bank. Specific to the $100,000 Challenge, as has been done in years past, 25% percent of funds raised online during the month of October will benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank.
New this year, the Campaign will also be raising money to support a pilot backpack program for Special Olympics Maine. This innovative initiative will help meet the needs of Special Olympics athletes who are facing food insecurity while also providing them an opportunity to give back to their communities. The Campaign’s goal is to raise $10,000 (or more) for Special Olympics Maine as part of our $100,000 Challenge. Special Olympics Maine will identify an individualized education program at a local school and/or day habilitation program – one in each county – to work with on this initiative.
Accept the Challenge
Join us in supporting the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger $100,000 Challenge. Pledge your donation today and add your name to the Challenge Contributors page. Be the first to get your logo added to the Blueberry Pie à la Mode or Soup & Salad levels. Donations can be made online at https://campaignforendinghunger.org/donate/ or via check. Checks can be made out to the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger and mailed to:
Maine Credit Union League
P.O. Box 1236
Portland, ME 04104