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October is just around the corner, bringing with it one of the most meaningful opportunities of the year for Maine’s credit unions to demonstrate the true spirit of People Helping People.
Beginning October 1, the 7th Annual $100,000 Ending Hunger Challenge will once again unite credit unions from across the state around one ambitious goal: raise $100,000 in just one month to provide 200,000 healthy meals for hungry Mainers.
While the goal is bold, Maine’s credit unions have shown time and again that extraordinary things happen when we work together. Last year, our movement exceeded every expectation by raising a record-breaking $238,217 for Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. This October, we’re inviting every credit union to build on that incredible momentum by donating to the Campaign, planning a fundraiser, engaging members, and rallying your community to help make an even greater impact.
The Need Has Never Been Greater
Food insecurity continues to affect far too many of our neighbors.
Today:
- 1 in 5 Maine children experience food insecurity—and Maine continues to have the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in New England.
- 14.5% of Maine households struggle to consistently put food on the table, including 1 in 7 adults (up from 13.8% in 2023).
- More than 31,000 Maine seniors are at risk of hunger.
- Maine ranks 14th in the nation for food insecurity and first in New England.
- Nationwide, 86% of counties with the highest rates of hunger are rural. In Maine, this is especially relevant given that 61.5% of Mainers live in a rural area. In fact, Washington County’s food insecurity rate is 18.8%—the highest in all of New England.
Behind every statistic is a child trying to learn on an empty stomach, a senior deciding between groceries and medication, or a family working hard but still unable to make ends meet. At the same time, federal funding reductions continue to place additional strain on food banks, pantries, and hunger relief organizations throughout Maine.
The encouraging news is that together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Start Planning Your October Challenge
Now is the perfect time to begin organizing your credit union’s participation.
Whether your credit union chooses to host a bake sale, casual dress day, raffle, golf ball drop, auction, member donation drive, community event, or another creative fundraiser, every effort contributes to our statewide goal. Corporate donations, employee giving campaigns, branch collection drives, and member contributions all help move us closer to raising $100,000 and providing 200,000 healthy meals.
As in previous years, 25% of all funds raised online during the Challenge will directly benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts. Funds raised through your credit union’s unique Campaign for Ending Hunger fundraising page, online donations, or local fundraising activities will also count toward your credit union’s 2026 Campaign for Ending Hunger fundraising totals, allowing those dollars to continue supporting hunger relief efforts in your own communities.
Celebrate While You Give Back
This year’s Challenge coincides with two special opportunities to celebrate the credit union difference:
💙 CU Kind Day | October 12
Spread kindness through community service, volunteerism, and generosity.
💚 International Credit Union Day | October 15
Showcase the credit union philosophy by highlighting our collective commitment to ending hunger across Maine.
These celebrations provide the perfect backdrop for engaging members, employees, volunteers, and your community while raising awareness for the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
Ready-to-Use Resources Are Available Now
To help make participation as simple as possible, the League has created a variety of grab-and-go promotional materials that your credit union can begin using today.
Available resources include:
- Campaign logos
- Social media graphics
- Lobby poster
- Digital graphics
- Print-ready materials
- Promotional resources to support your fundraising efforts
Simply download the materials from the League’s website, personalize them as needed, and start promoting your October fundraising activities.
If your credit union already has an event planned for October, let us know by contacting Jen Burke and Lauren Simonds! We’ll include it as part of the statewide Challenge, and the funds raised will count toward both your credit union’s Challenge contributions and annual Campaign for Ending Hunger fundraising totals.
Together, We Can Feed Maine
Every October, Maine’s credit unions prove that our cooperative spirit is stronger than any challenge. This year, let’s do it again!