Kristen Miale, president of The Good Shepherd Food Bank, said the contribution and multi-year commitment comes at a time when the need is rising.

“This gives us an opportunity to make a significant impact much sooner than we had anticipated,” she said. “The support of Maine's credit unions is so important and this will make such a difference in the lives of Maine children not only with their hunger but in their ability to learn because children who have enough to eat tend to do better on their homework and in class. Because of this contribution and commitment, we are pleased to designate Maine's credit unions as a childhood hunger hero to Maine children.”

The Good Shepherd Food Bank's BackPack Program provides children who are suffering the effects of chronic hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to eat during weekends and school vacations when those crucial school meals are unavailable. This school year, the Good Shepherd Food-Bank will be operating the BackPack Program in 20 schools in five counties, serving 800 children per week and providing approximately 185,000 meals to children during this school year, the organization said.