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Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed record number of meals in 2024

A warehouse contains shelving and boxes. Photo / Courtesy Good Shepherd Food Bank Good Shepherd Food Bank opened its distribution center in Hampden in 2019 in order to distribute more food more frequently and more efficiently through northern, central and downeast regions. 
By Laurie Schreiber

In 2024, Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed a record 40 million meals and invested over $1 million in grants to partners to improve and promote access to nutritious food across the state. 

The number represents a steady expansion, from 10.7 million meals in 2010 to 29 million meals in 2022 and 33.6 million meals in 2023.

The food bank’s Corporate Partners for a Hunger-Free Maine program provided more than 25 million of those meals.

“With hunger currently at a 10-year high and our funding at a five-year low, partnership with Maine’s business community is more important than ever,” said Georgia Jenkins, Good Shepherd’s corporate and foundation relations officer. 

Last year, 116 businesses and corporate foundations contributed monetary gifts and/or food donations. 

The food bank measures the donations in meal equivalents.

Good Shepherd, led by former Hannaford Supermarkets executive Heather Paquette, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine, distributing food to over 600 partner organizations across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, health care centers and senior programs. 

The Auburn-based nonprofit also engages in advocacy and nutrition education.

As the organization’s largest donor, Hannaford Supermarkets gave the equivalent of more than 11 million meals through food and money last year.

In the last four years, Hannaford donated over 50 million meals in the combined value of monetary gifts, as well as food donations through their retail stores and their product recovery center.

“Hannaford has been with us since the very beginning and is one of our closest partners, with their relationship spanning nearly every department of the organization,” said Jenkins.

Donating the equivalent of 200,000-plus meals in 2024 were Ahold USA, BJ's Wholesale Club, New Balance Foundation, News Center Maine, Poland Spring Water Co., Sam's Club, Shaw's Supermarkets, Sysco of Northern New England, Target, Trader Joe's and Walmart.

Donating  the equivalent of 100,000-plus meals were Albertsons Companies Foundation, Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, Oakhurst Dairy, Tyson Foods, Viking Lumber and Whole Foods Market.

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