As most of my readers know, I have a business consulting and coaching small businesses.  I enjoy speaking in front of groups, as well.  One of my clients wanted to have a small gathering for me to present and also raise some money for a charity.  We agreed to support The Good Shepherd Food Bank, and last Friday night was the event.  Any good speaker does his or her research before presenting and when I researched The Good Shepherd and Feeding America, I was impressed by their work, astounded at the amount of food that is processed and the corporate support they are given by their partners.  I couldn’t shake the thought that there is no reason people should go hungry.

Blueberry Fields Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful facility set in a tranquil rural setting in Washington.  Deb and Cyd build the place themselves and while the workmanship is outstanding, the feeling of comfort and peace is what overtakes you.  It feels like home.  Earlier this year, I worked with Deb and helped her change her mindset and attract the kinds of Customers that would appreciate the wonderful experience she and Cyd had to offer them.  Things have gone well this season and Deb wanted to do something to celebrate.  We talked about a couple of things and settled on a wine and cheese reception with me speaking for approximately 30 minutes.  The Good Shepard Food Bank would be the recipient of the proceeds.  Keith and Constance, Bodine of Sweetgrass Farm, Winery and Distillery, agreed to supply the wine.  That was not surprising because Keith and Constance are always there to help any worthy cause in their area.  Hannaford’s in South China supplied the cheese and crackers and some attendees brought tasty snacks, as well.

Even business people don’t want to hear about business at a wine and cheese reception, so I had to some serious work on one of my usual presentations.  I think I balanced business and life in a decent presentation and near the end as I was sharing what a difference these people made in the lives of hungry Mainers, something happened.  I don’t know yet exactly what it was, but later that night as I was trying to get to sleep, I found myself very troubled.  The group of folks that were there were wonderful.  We raised way more money than I expected and I got several positive comments on my presentation.  But I was still troubled.

I guess I feel guilty.  There are lots of needy causes out there and they all do good work.  I never thought much about hunger.  When I researched what The Good Shepherd does and what an impact they make right in our back yards, I was surprised.  Maine is number one in New England for people with food insecurity.  They fed 108,000 meals in 2012!  13 million pounds of food was used to do that!  I think that’s impressive.  And I never knew.  Here’s what troubles me.  We have the food.  The hungry people are out there.  Feeding them is not that big a deal. It’s not like we have to dig into our pockets and shell out hundred dollar bills to make a difference.  (If you feel the urge to dig into your pocket and shell out hundred dollar bills to The Good Shepherd Food Bank, go for it. They are excellent receivers.)  It only takes a little to make a big difference.

There were approximately 30 people that enjoyed the beautiful setting, the delicious wine, cheese and crackers last Friday night in little Washington.  They funded 2,460 meals for hungry Mainers!  That is making a difference.  Imagine if people all over Maine invited friends in for an evening get together, asked for a small donation, and sent the proceeds to The Good Shepherd.  What a difference we could make.  Do it under the radar.  Having a Christmas party at your house?  Make a difference.

This article is not a pitch for The Good Shepherd.  I have to say that after being a part of that, I feel I have to do more.  A tour of their facility is already scheduled. I can’t wait to see the operation.  I have no idea what I can do or where this will lead me, but I can say that I’m not in control.  It’s rare that something reaches out and grabs me and won’t let go, but hunger in Maine has me in a big ole bear hug.  There is no reason that any of our fellow Mainers need to go hungry.  We have the food.  All we need to do is get it to the people that need it.

Let me close with this.  Anyone who is reading this that is not worried about where their next meal is coming from, take a dollar bill out of your pocket or wallet and look at it for just a minute.  My dollar will buy me a cup of coffee on my way to the coast in the morning.  Another dollar just like that one can provide four meals for hungry Mainers.  That’s right.  Every dollar buys four meals.  That is making a difference.  That is doing good.  I have no idea where this journey is going to take me, but I’m excited to find out.

Bill Packard lives in Union and is the founder of BPackard.com.  He is a speaker, author, small business coach and consultant.