FORT KENT, Maine — NorState Federal Credit Union has announced that the annual Hope for the Holidays Food Drive benefited local food pantries from Fort Kent to Fort Fairfield with a total collection of 9,086 pounds of non-perishable items to stock the shelves.
NorState’s Ending Hunger Director Elaine Clavette commented, “In 2018, the food drive collected 13,556 record-setting pounds.”
The decrease in collections was due in part to a shorter collection time and a sign of change in the financial economy, added Clavette.
“The generosity of the people of central and northern Aroostook County, especially in the St. John Valley, as a whole, really pulled through in helping the food drive collection,” she said.
“In part, the success of the food drive is dependent on the generosity of people living here in Aroostook County or who may have ties to the County,” stated Denise Duperre, executive marketing director.
“I’m pleased with the totals,” Duperre said. “I’m overwhelmed with people’s generosity towards our neighbors in need. Without the cooperation of the participating merchants, the generosity of our neighbors and the spirit and County pride to do unto others as we’d have done unto us, we would not have such a great end result as this year’s.”
Co-sponsor for the 2019 food drive, TimeSquare Media, promoted awareness to potential donors and listeners about the progress of the food drive as well as information on where to donate non-perishable goods or monies.
“This food drive doesn’t cost the food pantries a dime,” added Duperre. “I’ve been a strong advocate of this food drive since inception. When it started as just a small local drive back in 2004 and grew into a Valley-wide food drive in 2007, and reached down as far as Ashland in 2010, I knew we were on to something bigger than we could ever imagine.
The drive gives pantries the stock to fill the shelves for the upcoming winter. All donated food is weighed and reported to the Maine Credit Union League in Westbrook, who totals all drives in the statewide initiative to end hunger in Maine.
“So, your donation is twofold,” said Duperre. “For all the monies we collect, the League calculates and sends it all back with a bit more to distribute to our local food pantries.”
Susan G. Whitehead, CEO of NorState FCU, said, “Donors can take comfort in the fact that their donation of non-perishable food to the food drive remains local. Since 1999, NorState has raised over $330,000 in monies and 94,000 pounds of non-perishables.”
She added, “Thanks to Maine’s Ending Hunger Campaign that is under the supervision of the Maine Credit League, thanks to my staff who continually work hard to raise funds and bring awareness, thanks to many food pantry volunteers, who tirelessly go around to the participating merchants to collect the donations for their respective pantry. They are the heart and soul of the food pantries, and truly are unsung heroes.”
Monetary donations are accepted year-round as fundraising efforts to end hunger locally are ongoing. The credit union’s food pantry partners are in St. Agatha/Sinclair, Greater Fort Kent, Madawaska, St. David, Grand Isle, Frenchville, Van Buren, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle, Ashland and Eagle Lake.
NorState is part of the Aroostook Chapter of Credit Unions, which is currently conducting a soup can drive.
“The chapter is gladly partnering with ACAP to bring food insecurities to the front of generous donors’ minds so we can in turn take care of our own neighbors and friends,” said Duperre, Aroostook Chapter of Credit Unions president.
Those interested can donate to NorState FCU, c/o Ending Hunger Campaign, 78 Fox Street, Madawaska, ME 04756, or drop off donations at their local NorState office. For more information about the Ending Hunger Campaign, call 1-800-804-7555.
