The Good Shepherd Food Pantry
Food Pantry Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, and the Third Saturday of each month from 9 am – 12 pm for the Unhoused ProgramWe strive to be a safe, welcoming environment, which offers nutritious food, resource information, and hope. Location Note:If local schools are closed due to heavy snow, the Food Pantry will be closed as well.
Honor Others Throughout The Year With A Tribute Gift To The Food Bank
Making a difference in the lives of Maines needy is a great way to honor a friend, coworker, or loved one. Tribute gifts can be made to celebrate a birthday, holiday, anniversary, new home or baby, or to remember a loved one.
An acknowledgement of your tribute gift will be sent to the honoree informing them of your generous gift. Amounts are not mentioned unless otherwise specified, and donors receive separate acknowledgment stating the gift amount for income tax purposes.
When making your online donation, simply fill out the Tribute Gifts section of our secure donation form. You may also contact at 782-3554 ext. 1142 to make a tribute gift over the phone.
Does your company provide donation matches? It is a great way to increase your impact with a matching gift from your employer.
Matching gift confirmations can be sent to , manager of Development Operations, at .
Corporate Partners for a Hunger-Free Maine is a group of socially responsible corporations and their corporate foundations who support Good Shepherd Food Banks mission through monetary gifts and/or food donations.
Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner? Please contact at , 782-3554 ext. 1140.
Applying For A Food Mobile
Please note:
Given the need to practice social distancing due to COVID-19, we are unable to support Food Mobile operations at this time.
What is the Food Mobile?
The Food Mobile program uses a refrigerated truck to deliver perishable and non-perishable food to a community in need. We work with partner agencies and other groups to deliver this service to communities based on need and available grant funding. The Food Mobile program is funded through grants that are received by Good Shepherd Food Bank. Often times funding is specific to certain communities or counties of the state. The Food Bank will prioritize unrestricted Food Mobile grant funds to those areas most experiencing food insecurity due to high unemployment, natural or other disaster, or lack of other resources.
- For answers to frequently asked questions about the Food Mobile program, including how many volunteers are needed to host a Food Mobile, please see Food Mobile FAQs.
- If you would like to apply to bring the Food Mobile to your community, please complete and return a Food Mobile Application and Food Mobile Agreement at least 2 months prior to the desired date.
Good Shepherd Food Bank publishes a calendar of Food Mobile distributions. The hosting agency or community group is responsible for all event outreach and communication to the community.
TEFAP Reporting Form | or
Retail Store Donation Tracking Form |
Winter Storm Policy |
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Good Shepherd Food Bank Announces 2022 Corporate Partners For A Hunger
AUBURN Corporate Partners for a Hunger-Free Maine is a group of socially responsible corporations and their corporate foundations that support Good Shepherd Food Bank in providing food to people facing food insecurity across Maine through its statewide partner agency network of food pantries, meal sites, shelters, schools, health centers, and other community organizations.
Through monetary gifts and/or food donations, 148 corporate partners helped Good Shepherd Food Bank provide more than 31.6 million meals to Mainers experiencing hunger last year, stated Georgia Jenkins, corporate and foundation relations officer. Support from our Corporate Partners undoubtedly helps the Food Bank increase access to nutritious food for children, families, adults, and seniors facing food insecurity, but it also demonstrates that these local businesses and national corporations are stepping up to join the fight to end hunger in Maine.
Good Shepherd Food Banks 2022 Transformational and Visionary level Corporate Partners for a Hunger-Free Maine include:
Transformational Partner:
Hannaford Supermarkets, donated the equivalent of 10.4 million meals through a combination of monetary gifts and food donations in the last year.
Visionary Partners:
donated at least 150,000 meals
- Albertsons Companies Foundation
- Maine Credit Unions, Campaign to End Hunger
- Morgan Stanley Foundation
- Native Maine Produce and Specialty Foods
- New Balance Foundation
- Whole Foods Market
Good Shepherd Food Bank
Good Shepherd Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, providing surplus and purchased food to more than 400 non-profit organizations throughout the state. In 2015, the Food Bank distributed 23 million pounds of food to its partner agencies.
The Food Bank’s primary warehouse is located in Auburn, Maine. It operates another distribution center in Hampden, Maine. The Food-Bank is a member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
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Community Partner Profiles: Good Shepherd Food Bank
The Food Studies Program is fortunate to have numerous community partners working to address the hunger and nutritional needs of our community. With these profiles, we hope to highlight the work of those partners.
AUBURN Since 1981, Good Shepherd Food Bank has been connecting the food industry to people in need. With the belief that all Mainers deserve access to nutritious food, the Food Bank works to source and distribute food, build community partnerships, and advocate for an end to hunger.
The Food Bank is invested in creating a hunger-free Maine. In 2017, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food, equivalent to about 24 million meals. The reach of this distribution is possible through partnerships with over 400 local agencies, in all 16 counties of Maine.
In addition to the distribution of donated and purchased food, the Food Banks work includes Cooking Matters, a cooking and nutrition education program youth and family initiatives the Food Mobile, a mobile food pantry to reach the most underserved families preparation and distribution of United States Department of Agriculture commodity food programs and Mainers Feeding Mainers.
For more information and to learn how to become involved, visit the Good Shepherd Food Banks website.
Becoming A Partner Agency
It is important that every Maine citizen have a place to turn to get food in times of crisis and need. If you are connected with an organization involved in extending hunger relief to an underserved community, we encourage you to consider partnering with Good Shepherd Food Bank to better help meet the need in your community.
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Pantry Details Hours Photos Information: Good Shepherd Food Bank
Office Hours: 7:30 am – 2:00 pmFor more information, please call.Mission Statement The mission of Good Shepherd Food Bank is to eliminate hunger in Maine by improving access to nutritious food for people in need, building strong community partnerships, and mobilizing the public in the fight to end hunger.
County or Counties Served: Androscoggin
Become A Monthly Donor
Our neighbors need food year-round. Join our monthly giving program, Thrive365, and help ensure that adults and children in our communities have enough healthy food every month of the year.
A donation of just $10 a month will enable us to provide 20 meals for someone in need.
Simply click the Monthly option when you donate online through our secure website, or contact at 782-3554 ext. 1142 to discuss becoming one of our valued monthly donors.
When you include Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine in your estate plan, your generosity helps provide nutritious food to more than 178,000 Mainers each year. We believe that ensuring access to healthy food is the first step in breaking the cycle of poverty and stabilizing the lives of the people we serve. Thank you for your support.
Consider a long-term commitment to invest in fighting hunger across every county in Maine.
Minimize capital gains taxes while proving food to hungry neighbors. Donations of appreciated securities can be made to the Food Bank throughout the year or at years end.
Please contact at jmcquillan@gsfb.org, 782-3554 ext. 1142 or Ashley Davis at adavis@gsfb.org, 782-3554 ext. 1148, for stock gifting instructions.
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Expanding The Reach Of The Good Shepherd
In the past, the distance was a major obstacle for agencies located several hours away from the Food Bank’s headquarters in Auburn many felt they were not able to access adequate quantities of food. The organization addressed this problem, as well as its responsibility to serve the entire state of Maine, by establishing a distribution center in Brewer. This facility has since closed however, a new distribution center in Hampden replaced it. The facility in Hampden now serves hundreds of agencies in seven counties in Northern and Downeast Maine.
Rent & Utility Assistance
To determine eligibility for rent or utilities arrears you will be required to bring the following documentation with you to your appointment:
- statement of ALL sources of income
- rent receipt/eviction or mortgage statement
- most recent utilities bills/disconnection notice
- current bank statement.
We can offer Emergency food packages to help offset monthly expenses.
We also connect clients with a wide range of community resources. Our Community Outreach Workers can assist by providing referrals to a wide range of local resources.
Please click on the button below to fill out an online Rent Utility application form or call 344-1746 x 304 for more information.
Sarnia, ON519-336-5941
The Haven provides short-term co-ed shelter for young adults between the ages of 16 to 21. This program is funded by the Ministry of Children & Youth Services in conjunction with the County of Lambton. We can house up to 9 residents in a 30-60 day program. Our goal is to assist our residents in securing a source of income and find a stable living arrangement. The Haven is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and an intake can be done at any time of the day or night. Referrals can be made by other agencies, by phone, or a person coming to the building. Staff of The Haven will assist in advocating for a client and/or referring to other agencies and programs. The Haven consists of two adjoining townhouse units owned by the County of Lambton
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Why Equity Diversity And Inclusion Matters To Good Shepherd Food Bank Of Maine
The mission of Good Shepherd Food Bank is to eliminate hunger in Maine by improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant food for people in need, building strong community partnerships, and mobilizing the public in the fight to end hunger. To achieve this mission, we acknowledge that hunger is rooted in the systemic inequities and injustices that cause and perpetuate poverty and food insecurity. People and communities that experience marginalization and oppression based on race, socioeconomic standing, gender, and other identities are disproportionately impacted by hunger. In order to end hunger in our state, we must include those most impacted and elevate their voices in our planning and decision-making listen to understand the diverse experiences and needs of Mainers at risk of hunger, and invest in and work alongside our partners and neighbors to create equitable access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods.
Based on the above acknowledgement Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine will commit to:
Good Shepherd Pantry Distribution
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in conjunction with the FoodBank of Santa Barbara County, distributes fresh fruits and vegetables as well as canned goods and other non-perishable items to those in need on the first Saturday of every month. Food, personal hygiene items, and clothing is given out on a first come / first served basis by beginning at 9:00 a.m. at church. We typically provide food for 80 to 100 families each month.
A nurse is available on campus for blood pressure screenings and to answer general health-related questions.
During state and/or local Covid requirements, we are still distributing, but have put in place appropriate measures to protect our volunteers and those we serve.
If you would like to donate non-perishable items for distribution, please drop them into the FoodBank barrel just inside the church entrance .
Checks also are welcome made out to GSLC with a reference noting Pantry Distribution .
You can also donate by on-line checking withdrawal by clicking on this button:
Donations by credit card can be made by clicking on this button:
FoodBank of Santa Barbara also distributes food at a number of other locations throughout the month. Click here for more information about FoodBank of Santa Barbara.
If you would like to volunteer to help with Pantry Distribution, please contact or .
Most Needed Donation Items: Canned Food Rice, SoupsCereal, Soy Milk / Rice MilkJuicePaper Goods Cleaning Supplies Health Supplies No medications allowed!
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Campaign To End Hunger
Today, over 180,000 Mainers rely on Good Shepherd Food Bank and its network of partners and nearly 30% of these citizens are children.
Our mission is simple: by 2025, all those struggling with hunger will have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive, when and where they need it. We want to raise $250 million to make that a reality.
Working with food donors, philanthropic supporters, and local partners across the state, we will help reduce the impact of hunger in our state and make Maine a stronger, better place to work and live.
Resources From Cooking Matters Maine
- The Nutrition and Education team at Good Shepherd Food Bank is excited to announce the launch of the Food Banks newest website, www.NutritionForME.org. A one-stop online resource to find simple, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes feature many ingredients available through the Food Bank! Search through hundreds of recipes to see what you can make with everyday ingredients.
- Free download of Cooking Matters at Home is now available at the link below. This is an incredible resource full of ideas for how families can use what foods are available to create quick, family-friendly, low-cost meals, like a Step-by-Step Pasta Dinner with plenty of substitutions to play around with.
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There Are Many Ways To Give Choose The One Thats Right For You:
- Donate online through our secure website
- Donate By Phone: The Food Bank accepts donations over the phone using Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Please contact at 782-3554 ext. 1142
- Donate by Mail: Send your check or credit card information to Good Shepherd Food Bank, PO Box 1807, Auburn, ME 04211-1807
What We Do
Good Shepherd Food Bank distributes food to over 500 partner agencies throughout Maine from our two distribution centers. Volunteers at the Auburn Distribution Center have the opportunity to help inspect and sort salvage food items and sort and pack produce from our Mainers Feeding Mainers Program or sort and pack refrigerated/frozen items from our retail partners.
Through our Mainers Feeding Mainers program, the food bank works with over 80 farmers throughout the state to provide our partner agencies with local, nutritious produce.
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