OLD TOWN, Maine–Credit unions in this state have kicked off their 17th Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking and Awareness Tour.
The Tour is part of Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, which has not just raised millions of dollars in funds to fight hunger, but also raised awareness around the issue.
Once again, Brenda Davis has sent off on a long walk around the state as part of the fundraising effort. Davis was joined at Penobscot County FCU by representatives of other credit unions, the Maine league and members of the press as she began her walk.
The Maine league noted Davis has been a long-time advocate for ending hunger in Maine and is the also the executive director of BBC Opportunity Center, a hunger organization serving eastern Maine. To mark the start of the event, Maine Credit Unions’ sent Davis off with a special donation to the BBC Opportunity Center for $16,332.
“As she continues on the tour, and as a nod to this being the 17th year of the walking tour, the Campaign for Ending Hunger will contribute a $117 check to a food pantry in every community that she visits,” the league announced.
More than 1,600 Miles of Walking
Throughout the next month, Davis will cover more than 1,600 miles and visit 90 communities from York to Madawaska in Maine, while bringing awareness to the severity of hunger in the state.
“Ending hunger is something that Maine’s credit unions are very passionate about and being able to partner with someone who shares that passion is truly something special,” said Jake Holmes, Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator for the Maine Credit Union League. “With hunger and food insecurity remaining a serious issue in Maine, the tour continues this year. We’re joining together on this walk one step at a time, one dollar at a time, to raise awareness and benefit those in need.”
According to the MCUL, 16% of Maine households, or over 200,000 Mainers, are identified as food insecure. The Walking and Awareness Tour will visit all 16 Maine counties and will raise nearly $30,000 to end hunger in Maine. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $8 million to help end hunger in Maine.