September has been a busy month for Maine’s nine United Way chapters, which kicked off their annual fundraising campaigns with one-day food drives that collected a combined 37,856 pounds of food and other critical supplies for local nonprofits.
The donations included over 26,273 diapers and wipes, bars of soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and hundreds of coats and warm weather items.
The events, called United for Maine, also generated over $5,000 to support organizations and programs serving Maine people, and raised awareness about unmet needs and food insecurity during the pandemic.
Campaigns across the state typically go through the fall and into the new year, a spokesperson told Mainebiz.
“Many Mainers who have never experienced food insecurity before now find themselves visiting food pantries as they face furloughs or layoffs in the wake of the pandemic,” said Courtney Yeager, chair of United Ways of Maine, in a news release.
“Our United for Maine drive showed that we’re all in this together—and anyone can make a difference with a jar of peanut butter or a small donation. If you’re in a position to help, please consider making a gift to your local United Way.”
As part of the statewide campaign, United Way of Greater Portland organized a series of virtual and in-person events that wrapped up with a drive-thru food drive on Sept. 18 at Wayside Food Programs in Portland.
Representatives of several local companies stopped by during the drive with donations, including more than 25 employees from accounting and management consulting firm Berry Dunn.
“We are incredibly grateful to the community for support of our food and basic needs drive,” Liz Cotter Schlax, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Portland, and a 2019 Mainebiz Woman to Watch, said via email afterwards.
“Food insecurity has been an ongoing issue, but COVID-19 has exacerbated it. We estimate that about one out of every four kids are now food insecure, and kids can’t learn or thrive if they don’t have enough food to eat,” she added.
$1,500 for school meals
To help the South Portland School Department meet an urgent need for school meals during COVID-19, Town & Country Federal Credit Union stepped up with a $1,500 donation to cover the cost.
It did so after getting a request from Full Plates Full Potential, a coalition formed in 2014 to end child hunger in Maine.
Ken Kunin, superintendent of South Portland Public Schools, said the donation from Town & Country ensures the ability to distribute thousands of meals to children in need.
“On behalf of our children and families, we are deeply grateful for this generous support.”
Besides supporting a number of community initiatives during the pandemic, Town & Country said it has provided significant support to members during these financially challenging times including loan deferments, offering a Crisis Assistance Relief Loan, and a variety of other forms of financial assistance to thousands of members that is on-going.
“The opportunity to support the efforts of South Portland Schools to distribute meals to children aligns with our commitment to helping the communities we serve,” said Town & Country President and CEO David Libby
“We appreciate the efforts of South Portland Schools and many other districts, as well as organizations like Full Plates Full Potential, for working diligently to meet the needs, learning and otherwise, of its students and families,” he added.