Hancock County Food Drive Kick-off

Countywide Food Drive Kick Off

The second annual Hancock Countywide Food Drive kicks off March 1st and we need your help.

One in four children in Maine go to bed hungry. Thousands of our seniors are food insecure – they have to go without meals to buy medication, fuel or other basic needs. Many families are working but just don’t earn enough to make ends meet. In fact 40% of Maine’s food insecure population makes too much to qualify for food stamps but not enough to put meals on the table and pay for expenses. They must rely on food pantries. The increase in demand is putting a huge strain on our local food pantries. This effort is aimed at helping them stock their shelves so there is enough food for those who need it. The food drive will held the entire month of March. WNSX radio station is helping to jump start the effort with a live Broadcast from 10:00-1:00 on March 2nd at the Friends and Family Market in Ellsworth.

Last year nearly 100 Hancock County businesses, schools and churches from 20 towns helped collect 7,500 items of food which was divided between our 10 food pantries. Once again United Way of Eastern Maine and Maine Community Foundation will provide a cash match of $10,000 as incentives to help increase food donations ($1 match for every food item donated). These funds will also be distributed among all the food pantries and soup kitchens.

Donations of canned goods can be dropped off at any one of the locations listed here. If you are interested in having a collection box at your business, doing a food drive among your employees, are an organization that could wave a membership dues for a week if members bring in canned goods or you can make a monetary donation please contact Marjorie Peronto at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at ude.eniam@otnorep.eirojraM or by calling 667-8212.

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