Mainebiz Giving Guide

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 5 – 2 0 2 6 GIVING GUIDE raising monetary contributions for AIO. "ese partnerships allow us to lift each other up, where federal funding has let us down," says Anne Rogers- Popejoy, executive director of the Strand eater. "ey push us to fill gaps with one another, and to become resourceful in how we can share the load without duplicating services. ese are wonder- ful things, but federal funding cuts are detrimental and are impacting the ability of non-profits to provide basic services. Our partnerships do not make up what has been cut in federal dollars." Facing food insecurity Good Shepherd Food Bank partners with more than 600 organizations across Maine, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, distribution programs and healthcare facilities, to reach those most in need. Together, this network provided more than 40 million meals last year. Partnerships have always been cen- tral to Good Shepherd's mission, but the organization has leaned even more heavily on collaboration to meet rising demand, especially during the summer when children lose access to f ree or reduced-price school meals. "Every community in the state of Maine has hunger. at's the bad news. It's lit- erally everywhere. e good news is that every community in the state of Maine has somebody that is deeply passionate about doing something about it," says Shannon Coffin, vice president of com- munity partnerships at Good Shepherd. One example is the Bangor Summer Food Service Program, which Good Shepherd sponsored and helped launch in 2012 with the Bangor Boys and Girls Club. Good Shepherd handled the com- pliance and paperwork, while the Boys and Girls Club provided volunteers. In its first year, the program operated three sites that served 4,000 meals. Today it runs seven sites and serves more than 5,000 meals each summer. Since its start, the program has provided more than 74,000 meals to children in the Bangor area. rough this work, Good Shepherd realized that although meals are federally reimbursed, important nonfood costs such as coolers for transportation or activities to reduce stigma for children receiving meals were not covered. "ere's a whole host of small but meaningful barriers to be able to get the program up and run- ning," Coffin explained. To address these barriers, Good Shep- herd worked with food insecurity non- profit Full Plates, Full Potential to create what is now the Summer Meals Grant Program. e grant helps cover costs that fall outside reimbursements and removes another hurdle for organizations trying to launch local summer meal programs. Coffin also challenges misconceptions about food insecurity. While many assume food pantry users are unemployed, most households served include at least one working adult. "It's not just about food. It's a message that your community cares about you and you belong. It's a message that you are worth healthy, nutritious food. And there are people that care, that want to be a part of making sure you have access to it," she says. For Coffin, the key to progress lies in collaboration. "Resilience is a team sport. We are seeing increased need, and it requires everybody working together and bringing to the table what they can," she says. A small nonprofit with a big mission No other nonprofit pivots quite like Khmer Maine. Founded in 2017 by a small group of Cambodian-Americans as an arts and culture outlet, the organi- zation quickly shifted gears during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide care packages with fresh food, toiletries, and other essentials. at rapid response, supported by the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, set the tone for Khmer Maine's collaborative approach. Today, Khmer Maine has three full- time staff members, 2,500 members statewide, and a mission centered on arts, culture, and civic engagement. Executive Director Marpheen Chann recalls how a mutual aid program in the 1990s drew many Cambodians to C OU R TES Y / GOOD S H EPH ER D FOOD BANK Shannon Coffin, vice president of community partnerships at Good Shepherd www.agcmaine.org/fund BUILDING MAINE'S FUTURE, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME Your contributions provide the foundation to the future of the industry. Learn more or donate today! C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 2 »

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