United Way of Greater Portland’s food drive results in 28,163 meals and signals the kickoff of the 2018 campaign
On September 14, United Way of Greater Portland’s United We CAN food drive resulted in enough food to provide 28,163 meals – breaking last year’s record for Cumberland County’s largest one-day food drive (16,428 donated in 2017). The event officially kicks off the 2018 Campaign and features food sculptures built by sixteen teams:
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- 2 Dine In
- CCB Construction Services
- Dead River Company
- EVO Payments
- Gorham Savings Bank
- Hannaford
- IDEXX
- Infinity Federal Credit Union
- L.L.Bean
- MaineHealth
- Martin’s Point
- RTS Packaging
- Sappi
- Unum
- Verrill Dana
- WEX
“I am amazed, though hardly surprised, at the generosity of these organizations,” said Liz Cotter Schlax, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Portland. “These organizations and many others step up to make a real difference in our communities throughout the year, especially today.”
The food collected for the sculptures and from other event attendees was donated to Wayside Food Programs–one of United Way of Greater Portland’s Funded Community Partners–to be distributed to food pantries throughout Cumberland County.
Full Album of Event Photos and Structures available on Facebook
“More than 37,340 people in Cumberland County are food insecure — often not because food is unavailable, but because access to that food is restricted, most often by limited income. Some people are hungry because they get sick or injured, or a spouse or parent dies, or they lose their job or are unable to work ,” said Ann Dalton, Board Chair of United Way of Greater Portland.
With the help of six judges and a community choice vote, awards were given to four sculpture teams.
- Most Nutritious Award: WEX
- Most on Brand: IDEXX
- Community Choice Award: Hannaford
- Best in Show: L.L.Bean
At the event Deanna Sherman, 2018 Campaign Vice-Chair and President and CEO of Dead River Company, announced an $8,200,000 goal for this year’s community fundraising campaign with the help of nine Loaned Executives. The Loaned Executives from BerryDunn, Gorham Savings Bank, Hannaford, L.L.Bean, MaineHealth, Unum, and WEX work with United Way for nine weeks to help execute the campaign.
In addition, Sherman announced that thanks to three-year commitments from Dead River Company, IDEXX, MEMIC, and WEX, and a match from the John T. Gorman Foundation, new contributions to support United Way of Greater Portland’s Thrive2027 efforts will be matched up to $200,000.
There are many ways you can get involved in the fight against hunger. You can provide food and monetary donations, volunteer your time at a food bank, and advocate for the cause. To donate or to find your local food bank, visit Feeding America today.
News Coverage:
WMTW-TV 8 – Canned food turned into sculptures helps feed hungry Mainers
News Radio WGAN – Live Broadcast
