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The efforts of Maine's credit unions with ending hunger in Maine received significant, positive awareness in multiple TV and radio news segments in the past week, specifically highlighting the Maine CUs' Campaign for Ending Hunger contribution to fight summertime hunger through its annual 'Share the Bread' event. From Sunday, August 2 - Wednesday, August 5, interviews and news segments aired on nearly every TV news station in the state, as well as a host of radio stations from southern Maine to northern Maine.
The coverage began with a 'live' segment that aired on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 on Sunday, August 2, which focused not only on the 'Share the Bread' event but with the overall Maine CUs' Campaign for Ending Hunger. The segment included key facts, such as the Campaign raising a record-setting $552,000 in 2014, and raising $5.9 million since it began in 1990. "To have an opportunity to reinforce the efforts and generosity of Maine's credit unions when it comes to ending hunger before a statewide audience for more than three minutes is wonderful exposure for credit unions and reinforces the 'people helping people' philosophy," remarked Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental & Public Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League, who provided the background information prior to the interview. Additional TV news segments aired on WVII, FOX 22, FOX 23, WGME CBS 13, and WABI.
On Tuesday, August 4, the 'Share the Bread' event itself took place with separate presentations at your League in Westbrook, and at Good Shepherd Food Bank's Brewer Distribution Center. At both events, the Campaign presented contributions to food pantries in Maine's eight southernmost counties and eight northernmost counties, respectively. A total of $20,200 was contributed as well as a loaf of bread to 32 food pantries and the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Vicki Stuart, President/CEO of Central Maine FCU and the Chair of your League's Social Responsibility Committee, attended the event at your League and presented checks to each food pantry in attendance. "In speaking with representatives from the food pantries in attendance, summer is a particularly difficult time because people are focused on doing things outdoors, and aren't as likely to think about making a contribution to their local food bank at this time of year, as opposed to the holidays when more attention is given to helping others. Because the Campaign was able to make contributions to food pantries in every Maine county, this event truly has a statewide impact. It also raises awareness that hunger doesn't go away when the weather is nice."
At the Brewer event, representatives from area credit unions presented the checks to that region's food pantries. "This is the 'Credit Unions' Campaign for ending hunger so any opportunity to have local credit unions involved in distributing funds at statewide events is fantastic. Most of the money is raised at the local level and distributed at the local level, and we want to recognize those efforts as often as possible," added Paradise.
In addition to TV coverage of the event, radio segments aired on Channel X Radio in Aroostook County; The Voice of Maine Network; Q-106.5; WKIT; 92 MOOSE; B-98.5; 107.5 Frank FM; and 99.9 The Wolf.
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