New Pilot Program to Provide Financial Education at Food Pantries

Improving the financial lives of all Mainers is an important priority for Maine credit unions. To help us achieve this mission, the League has joined with Good Shepherd Food Bank and New Ventures Maine to launch a financial literacy pilot program with two community food pantries: Kaydenz Kitchen Food Pantry in Lewiston and Friends Helping Friends in Easton. As part of this effort, a series of educational brochures will be shared with food pantry clients to help them improve their money management skills.

The first pamphlet, being shared this month, focuses on the benefits of establishing checking and savings accounts and how Maine credit unions can help individuals achieve their financial goals. It has been translated in French, Somali, Spanish, and Arabic to ensure it reaches a diverse population. Subsequent brochures will cover what credit is and how to build it.

If COVID cases continue to drop, the League is hoping there might be an opportunity to provide in-person financial education at these food pantries. If your credit union has an interest in partnering with the League on this type of outreach, please contact Jake Holmes, the League’s Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator, at jholmes@mainecul.org.

Last week, League President/CEO Todd Mason and Jake Holmes sat down with CUbroadcast to discuss Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger and this new financial wellness initiative, which has launched in time for Financial Literacy Awareness Month. Please click this link to watch the full recording.