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On Friday, November 30, the 17th Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking and Awareness Tour concluded with a special ceremony at Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union in Hampden. Brenda Davis, a resident of Old Town and one of the state’s leading ending hunger advocates, joined credit union staff to commemorate the completion of a nearly five-week long journey to raise awareness about the hunger toll in Maine’s communities.
“I truly believe this year’s Tour is the most gratifying tour I have completed,” said Brenda Davis. “We are connecting and involving more people than ever before, which is what is needed to address this problem.”
The Tour, a partnership between Maine’s credit unions and Davis, is designed to build awareness about hunger, financial insecurity, and homelessness during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month (November). This year’s Tour concluded with a $16,332 contribution from the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.
“In my discussions with food pantries and their clients, I know people across Maine are still going hungry, but the efforts of Maine’s credit unions and others are making a positive impact, added Davis. “That’s why it is so important to continue working together on this important effort until hunger is eradicated here in the state.”
The 17th Annual Walking and Awareness Tour covered more than 1,600 miles, with visits to 90 communities covering all of Maine’s 16 counties. At each of the 96 credit union branches Davis visited, she received a contribution from the Campaign in support of her journey. A food pantry in each community received a contribution as well. In all, Maine’s Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger contributed $33,362 to help end hunger during the Tour.
“People helping people is a philosophy that our credit unions embrace each and every day,” said Tim Brooks, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for the Maine Credit Union League. “Supporting efforts to end hunger in the communities we serve is important to us, which is why we were once again pleased to help support Brenda and the important work she is doing to combat hunger here in Maine.”
Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $8 million, including a record-breaking $740,000 raised during 2017.