Camden National employees help feed Maine families

Funds raised through program provide 74,400 meals in Maine
Tue, 10/21/2014 - 4:15pm

CAMDEN — In recognition of National Food Bank Week, October 13-18, employees at Camden National Bank delivered generous donations to 32 food pantries throughout the state of Maine. Funds for the donations were raised by employees through the Bank's stakeholder-run community outreach program, the Community Spirit of Giving (CSOG).

This funding equates to 89,280 pounds of food, which will provide 74,400 meals to the one in seven Mainers who turn to food pantries and meal service programs for food assistance every year.

"I am overwhelmed by the efforts of our employees to raise money to support our local communities and those in need. This is a great example of being a community banker," said Gregory A. Dufour, president and chief executive officer of Camden National Bank. "Helping our neighbors is at the core of what we believe in, and I'm proud of our employees' dedication to the CSOG."

The goal of Camden National's Community Spirit of Giving program is to prevent hunger of underprivileged children and families by working with local food pantries, schools, and community leaders.

Complementing Camden National Bank's philanthropy efforts, the CSOG program was founded in 1991 by employees who wanted to create their own grassroots effort to support local communities and people in need. Over the course of a year, employees will create numerous fundraising events ranging from raffles to the very popular Camden National Bank yard sale, held every other year, at the Bank's Hanley Center in Rockport.

"Our stakeholders did an incredible job with their fundraising efforts this year, and we are proud of the impact these contributions will make in the communities where we live and work," said Jared Merritt, vice president, financial planning and analysis, and chairman of the CSOG committee. "Not only are we presenting donations to these organizations, but we are supporting the critical service that our state's food pantries, many staffed solely by volunteers, provide for our friends and neighbors every day."

In a new study, Hunger in Maine 2014, released this month by Good Shepherd Food Bank and Feeding America, reports show that one in seven Mainers, or an estimated 178,000 people, turn to Maine food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their families. This includes more than 50,000 children and 45,500 seniors.

For more information on the national study, visit http://www.gsfb.org/.