Ending Hunger
2023 UCU Ending Hunger Campaign
THANK YOU
Thank you to all of the generous donors to our 2023 Ending Hunger Campaign. Your donations will go directly to fighting food insecurity in Maine. Together, we can change the lives of those in our communities for the better.
From November 15th through December 31st, donations made in person, over the phone, on video teller machines, and online were matched by UCU for a total of $18,935.50!
UCU is here for U, and for Mainers throughout the state. This year, we begin our seventh year of the UCU Ending Hunger Campaign, with a continued pledge of matching up to $25,000 in total donations made through the end of 2023. Generous donations made by our members, friends and neighbors have helped make an impact for people across the state, by providing their next meal. Together, we can end hunger in Maine.
Join UCU in fighting food insecurity by supporting Ending Hunger, funding local food pantries both within our communities and campus communities, and make a donation today. Your donation could help a family down the road financially impacted by the pandemic or economic strain, or a university student struggling to balance classes with the need to work for income. For that reason, we want to do our part along with your help to support the local food pantries.
As we begin this season of giving, we ask that you consider donating to our Ending Hunger Campaign and support our local communities. Your donation will help people facing hunger in our state.
Our 2023 campaign has concluded for the matching promotion, but donations can still be made to Ending Hunger with the donate button here on our site.
Distributions From Our 2022 Campaign
In 2022, together we raised and matched for a total of $40,185.15!
See the donation pictures and learn more on our website here.
Impact Information from Food Pantries
Details provided by food pantries.
USM Campus Food Pantry
- 331%-Increase in number of visits from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022
- 529%-Increase in number of household and personal goods distributed from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022
- 3100+ lbs. of food distributed to date through Fall 2022
Wayside Food Services
- 2,900 seniors each month receiving groceries through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program
- 18,250 meals prepared and shared at Community Meals & Pop up Picnics
- 750 Thanksgiving meals
- 145,000 pounds of local food donated and salvaged
Preble Street
- Food Programs: The largest direct service emergency food program in northern New England, distributing 600,000 meals a year to individuals, families, youth, and seniors who are living in poverty.
- Soup Kitchens: Operates 365 days a year at the Resource Center, Teen Center, and Florence House, to serve nutritious meals 3 times a day.
- Food Pantry: Provides emergency grocery boxes to 150-190 households each week.
UMFK Bengal Food Pantry
- Serves approximately 75-100 students, many of those students rely heavily on campus and community pantries.
- COVID has had an impact with currency conversions for some countries. We have seen an increase in need especially with our international student population. We often hear: "this pantry helps us out so much."
- The partnership we have with UCU allows us to keep the shelved stocked on a weekly basis. Without the contribution, we would only be able to shop once a month.
Previous Campaigns
