MADAWASKA, Maine — NorState Federal Credit Union recently donated over $24,000 to support Aroostook County food pantries through the efforts of the Maine credit unions’ Ending Hunger Campaign.
Throughout the year, staff and volunteers of NorState participate in fundraising efforts that bring awareness to hunger in Maine, and work hard to raise much needed monies to be donated directly to local food pantries.
“Thanks to the generosity of our members, staff and dedicated food pantry volunteers, NorState’s combined effort allowed us to raise $24,420 for the last year, said NorState’s CEO, Susan Whitehead. “What a great testimony to the credit union’s philosophy of people-helping-people.”
Campaign coordinator Debra Deprey works at the financial institution’s Ashland branch office.
“We are fortunate to have such great staff at every location for our ending hunger efforts who work with local food pantry volunteers, to gather the information and resources we need to get to work on our ending hunger efforts throughout the year,” Deprey said. “Volunteers work so hard to make sure their pantry shelves are stocked so no one has to go hungry, and we are inspired to raise as much monies to help them with their efforts.”
Denise Duperre, NorState executive marketing director, said close relationships between the local community and food pantries helps bring awareness of the hunger problem in The County, where one out of every five people is food deficient.
“This awareness is why NorState Federal Credit Union works diligently all year long to raise as much monies for the Ending Hunger Campaign,” Duperre said, “as well as the Hope for the Holidays Food Drive during November and December that collects over 10,000 pounds of nonperishable foods and items for local pantry shelves.”
NorState donated funds to the following central and northern pantries during their recent annual membership meeting in Madawaska: Fort Kent Ecumenical Food Pantry; Friends Helping Friends pantries in Easton and Fort Fairfield; Ashland Food Pantry; Eagle Lake Food Pantry; Grand Isle-Madawaska-St. David served by Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Pantries; Van Buren Pantry; St. Luce Pantry in Frenchville; Our Lady of the Valley Pantry in St. Agatha and Sinclair; and GIFT Food Pantry in Presque Isle.
