Campaign for Ending Hunger

The County Federal Credit Union’s Campaign for Ending Hunger is a true example of the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”

Thanks to the tremendous spirit of the Maine Credit Unions, their staff, volunteers and members, the collective efforts of Maine Credit Unions raised a remarkable amount of $930,367.80 in 2021!  Since 1990, Maine credit unions have raised over $13 million for the Maine Credit Union’s Campaign to End Hunger.

History of the Maine CUs’ Campaign for Ending Hunger

• 100% of all funds raised stay in Maine and go directly to help end hunger. The Social Responsibility Committee developed the Maine CUs’ Campaign for Ending Hunger as a way to create a statewide social responsibility program that Maine’s Credit Unions could “call their own,” and take a leadership role in supporting a significant issue in Maine
• Credit unions began raising money for Ending Hunger in 1990.
• The largest, philanthropic fundraising effort for ending hunger in Maine by a non-hunger organization.

How the Ending Hunger Campaign works

• Funds raised by the Campaign support nonprofit organizations in Maine such as Good Shepherd Food Bank, Full Plates Full Potential, schools and local food pantries. Credit unions commit countless hours through volunteer and community involvement activities at these organizations.
• The month of November is designated as Ending Hunger month in Maine and Maine credit unions heavily fundraise to raise money for the cause.
• The County Federal Credit Union continues to raise funds locally throughout the year for this great cause by selling various items such as raffles and dress down days. 100% of those funds are donated back to local hunger organizations.

Statistics on Hunger in Maine

• 35% of all Maine children live in low-income families
• More than 40% of Maine kids under the age of 12 show some evidence of hunger
• 68,950 Maine children are food insecure
• One in four Maine children live below the poverty level
• Maine ranks 13^thin the nation and 1^stin New England in terms of food insecurity
• 17% of Maine households, representing 200,000+ people, experience food insecurity
• Hunger and the risk of hunger are widespread among Maine’s low-income families with children
• The likelihood of experiencing hunger or the risk of hunger is directly related to income
• Children living in households which experienced hunger or the risk of hunger are more likely to experience health or school-related problems.
• Several groups are found to be at greater risk of hunger in Maine; children, adults in low-income families, disabled persons, persons with special needs, the elderly, those living in rural regions and the inner cities of Maine’s largest urban places
• Several factors contribute to hunger in Maine; including income growth that is outpaced by cost of living; high level of underemployment; widening gap between rich and poor; illiteracy; and lack of consumer information on nutrition

At our Annual Meeting in May, local food pantries are presented with an equal share of the proceeds by The County Federal Credit Union.