Food for Local Pantries
Elanco Collects over 1,000 Pounds of Food for Local Pantries
7/10/19 - Elanco Animal Health in Winslow continues to hold the record for the largest collection in one month for the Pantry Project run by United Way of Mid-Maine (UWMM). With over 1,000 pounds of food collected and over $1,050 worth of essential items, Elanco’s June drive was the biggest Pantry Project collection this year.
The USDA’s estimate of food insecurity in Maine is declining (15.8% in 2015, 16.2% in 2014), which is great news. But that still means more than one in five people—or one in four children—in UWMM’s service area are food insecure. Here in Mid-Maine, about 30% of people make too much money to qualify for assistance programs but not enough money to feed their families. They depend on charitable efforts such as food pantries and soup kitchens.
“Many food pantries that we speak to talk about the need increasing. In fact, this month we learned that Kennebec county would not be receiving any Emergency Food and Shelter money, so Food Pantries will rely heavily on donations like this,” explained Samantha Burdick, the Director of Resource Development at UWMM.
United Way of Mid-Maine collaborates with local businesses who host the mobile Pantry Shelves each month. Businesses have donated over $7,000 worth of nonperishable food items to donate to eight food pantries and programs throughout Northern Kennebec, Western Waldo and Somerset Counties in 2019. This amounts to nearly 3,500 meals. UWMM will also be hosting a large one-day collection event called CANstruction, a competition between local businesses to create sculptures out of nonperishable items, in September. They estimate the event will collect another 5,000 pounds of food to support local pantries.
Elanco’s support of the Pantry Project translates into over 3,200 meals for our neighbors in Somerset, Northern Kennebec, and Western Waldo counties. “Elanco has been the top Pantry Project contributor for the past three years, collecting almost 3,000 pounds of food during that time. We are incredibly grateful for their support, not only as one of our top workplace campaigns, but their engagement year-round,” said Elizabeth Barron, President and CEO of UWMM.
UWMM hopes to continue to increase participation and food donations to help meet the needs of our community and raise awareness of food insecurity in Mid-Maine. Any business or organization that would like to host the Pantry Project or participate in the CANstruction contest please contact UWMM at 207-873-0686.
United Way of Mid-Maine strives to advance the common good by collaborating to create solutions to local problems facing our friends and neighbors. Proudly serving the people of Somerset, northern Kennebec, and western Waldo counties for over 60 years, UWMM is dedicated to improving people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities. For more information about UWMM, please visit www.uwmm.org. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United.