BANGOR, Maine–Barbara Davis and Maine’s credit unions have once again wrapped up one of the biggest annual statewide fundraising traditions in the country, raising more than $600,000 in the process.
Davis brought the 15th Annual Maine Credit Unions' Ending Hunger Walking Tour to a conclusion with a special ceremony at Bangor Federal Credit Union here. Brenda Davis, executive director of BBC Opportunity Center—an Old Town, Maine-based hunger and homeless resource agency that seeks to bridge the gap between poverty and self-sufficiency—has spent nearly five weeks traveling across the state to focus attention on the severity of hunger in Maine, the Maine CU league reported.
“Poverty and hunger are a big issue in Maine. Everywhere I went, I heard first-hand about people struggling, and that energizes me to walk more,” the Maine CU League quoted Davis as saying. “There is a lot more work to do, and the support of Maines' credit unions is making a significant difference."
According to the MCUL, the Walk concluded with a contribution from the Maine Credit Union's Campaign for Ending Hunger for $1,015, which is just a portion of the record-breaking $623,000 that was raised in 2015 campaign. Bangor FCU also contributed an additional $100 to the BBC Opportunity Center at the finale.
The 15th Annual Walk covered more than 1,500 miles, with approximately 750-800 miles of that on foot. The Maine league said Davis visited a record-setting 90 communities and covered all 16 Maine counties. At each of the 97 credit union branches Davis visited, she received a contribution from the Campaign as a way to support her cause. A food pantry in each community received a contribution, as well, the league said. In all, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger contributed nearly $30,000 to help end hunger through the Tour.
Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $6.5 million to help end hunger in Maine.