An additional $5,000 in direct and in-kind donations were made throughout 2021. Fifteen food pantries and food assistance programs in the St. John Valley, Ashland, and the greater Bangor-area benefited from the credit union’s fundraising efforts, which were part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

“We pushed extra-hard to meet the needs of those dealing with food insecurity in Maine,” said Alison Smart, Acadia FCU marketing manager and Ending Hunger Campaign coordinator. “The ongoing pandemic, inflation, and interruptions to the food supply chain have driven up food insecurity nationwide. The work we do to combat hunger in Maine provides vital aid to the communities we serve – it’s more crucial than ever.”

Thanks to the hard work of a dedicated, passionate team and the generosity of local businesses, members, and friends, overall fundraising efforts amounted to $48,810.82. In-kind donations and sponsorships totaled $5,023.17 and the remaining $43,787.65 was a result of direct fundraising efforts. This amount includes a $2,144.83 bonus from the Maine Credit Union League for Acadia FCU’s placement of third overall out of 54 Maine credit unions.

Through July and early August 2022, over $40k was divided and sent to the following agencies: First Assembly of God Food Pantry, St. John Vianney Parish Food Pantry, Aroostook Area Agency on Aging / Meals on Wheels program, Ashland Food Pantry, Greater Fort Kent Ecumenical Food Pantry, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Food Pantry, Our Lady of the Valley, MSAD 33 Take Home Program, Fish River Rural Health Food Shelf, Seeds of Hope Food Pantry, Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, Brewer Area Food Pantry, The Salvation Army of Bangor, and Manna Ministries Food Pantry.

At the end of 2021, $3,168 was donated to MSAD 33 after a devasting fire destroyed the Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville. Wisdom Middle/High School in neighboring St. Agatha scrambled to restock their kitchen with more equipment and supplies to accommodate over 100 incoming students displaced by the fire.

Fundraising efforts for Acadia FCU’s Campaign to End Hunger in Maine continue throughout 2022. Fundraisers include raffles, bi-monthly popcorn sales, monthly jeans day for Acadia staff, an “ugly” Christmas sweater event, a corporate fund drive, and an ongoing bottle drive. Recyclable bottles for the cause can be dropped off and donated anytime at Caron’s Redemption Center in Fort Kent. Acadia FCU is also accepting monetary donations online.