10th Annual Hancock County Food Drive Provides 115,359 Meals

For Immediate Release Please

Release Date: May 26, 2021

Program Contact: Rachel Emus, rachel@healthyacadia.org (207) 667-7171 Ext. 217

Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, tracey@healthyacadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 112 

10th Annual Hancock County Food Drive Provides 115,359 Meals 

This year’s Hancock County Food Drive raised an incredible $37,203 and collected 4,500 food items, resulting in 115,359 meals for community members experiencing food insecurity. The donations were divided among 19 food assistance organizations across the county.

The overwhelming success of this year’s month-long food drive was made possible thanks to the support of hundreds of community members, Hancock County’s generous business community, and the many organizations that help organize the project each year. In addition to a generous $10,000 contribution from Maine Community Foundation, $1,000 from Darling’s, and $3,000 in additional business sponsorships, most of this year’s fundraising success can be attributed to community donations from individuals and families.

Highlights from this year’s Food Drive include the inauguration of new online fundraising events that allowed community members to participate from the safety of their homes. A week-long virtual fitness challenge - “Miles for Meals” - raised over $5,000, and the K-8 “Read-A-Thon'' engaged 36 young readers across the county who raised a combined $2,500. The Food Drive wrapped up its month-long fundraising efforts with an online silent auction featuring a flight with Scenic Flights of Acadia. 

The Food Drive is a collaborative project organized by Healthy Acadia, United Way of Eastern Maine, UMaine Cooperative Extension, and local food security organizations, with support from Maine Community Foundation, Star 97.7, and Maine Coast Mall. 

Continue the fight against hunger by making a donation to a food security organization in your community. Click here to find a food pantry or meal program near you. Help bring local produce to these organizations by volunteering with the Gleaning Initiative, which collects surplus fruits and vegetables from farms and redistributes the fresh produce to food assistance programs. For more information, contact Rachel@HealthyAcadia.org. 

Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. This year, Healthy Acadia invites you to join them in celebrating 20 years of empowering people and organizations to build healthy communities together. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s community health initiatives, visit healthyacadia.org.

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