d Bank of MaineMik introduced Cameron Gartley of Allen Insurance and Financial, sponsored by the club to attend RYLA this year, and he shared a bit about his experience. He graduated from U Maine with a degree in Psychology, and went to the RYLA in Caratunk about a month ago, at the suggestion of Mike Pierce, West Bay Rotary club past president and President of Allen. The gathering involved a couple dozen professional people ranging from age 21 – 30, including Quebecois from the Canadian part of District 7790, in various careers and with different leadership experience. They did team building exercises, and spent time in nature getting to know each other starting on a Friday afternoon, through the weekend. Language was also a challenge, as not everyone spoke English, or French. He shared that at 10a on Saturday there will be a 5k for Brian Fitzpatrick, at the old RES location, with a raffle and fun activities for kids. Brian has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
Mik Mikkelsen introduced Erin Fogg who works at Good Shepherd Food Bank. She shared about their successes, programs and goals for the future.
Food insecurity is a hidden epidemic in Maine. More than 16% face food insecurity, meaning they lack regular and adequate access to nutritious food. 1 in 5 Maine children fall into that as well, with 1 in 3 in Washington County. Maine is 7th in the country for food insecurity, and 3rd for very high food insecurity. The issues contributing to food insecurity are complex. Hunger is not always about a lack of food, it’s about lack of access. It’s an income issue, related to underemployment, lack of benefits related to employment that cause people to have little money for things that are not fixed costs.
It is a health care and education issue. Hunger impacts health, and also impacts children’s ability to learn. Toddlers who experience food insecurity are five times more likely to become obese when they are older. This is related to inexpensive food choices that provide little nutritional value.
GSFB founded 30 years ago, has a network of 400 partners like food pantries and homeless shelters, works in 130 schools, has 65 farms that are food providers, and 2 redistribution partners. They provide 22 million meals annually to 178,000 Mainers. They receive and distribute food statewide. The model began with food pantries paying a shared maintenance fee to then receive their food allotments. Over time, that has decreased to 15% of their revenue, and they buy food and then give it to the partners, including fresh produce. 81% of their revenue is from fundraising from individuals, businesses and foundations. Their annual budget is about $10M per year, but with the food involved, closer to $50M in value. They are rated as a 4-star charity with Charity Navigator. Their original distribution center is in Auburn, and they are developing a second facility in Hampden.
Though intended to be a temporary relief organizations, they know that the problem is as bad as it has ever been. 2 years ago Feeding America, the national umbrella for food banks, looking for partners to develop a plan to end hunger in 10 years. GSFB was selected as one of the high performing food banks as a “rural model” to participate with a goal of ending hunger in Maine by 2025.
Their goal is to provide nourishing and healthy food to help people learn, grow and thrive. 70% of their distributions are “food to encourage” including 37% that is fresh produce.
Need increased by 50% in the recession that began in 2008/2009, while contributions were decreasing of both food and money. In 2010 they began Mainers feeding Mainers which guarantees revenue for farmers to provide fresh produce on a local basis. They plan to be spending $800,000 with local farmers in the next few years. They needed more space and after a study they found 11M meals missing requiring more space so have purchased the old BDN facility in Hampden and are now raising funds to renovate it to store an additional 10M meals per year.
Their 400-partner network needs to grow to handle the demand as well, and requiring all to become more creative and innovative. Schools and health care facilities are a focus, given they often see people with food insecurity or limited access to healthy food.
Mik indicated about 20 have signed up for Saturday’s Polio Walk. Report to the train station in Belfast at 9a, and shuttles will be provided to Heritage Park where the walk will begin.
Deb Fink shared a video highlighting the club’s September activities, including Windjammer Festival, Habitat, One Less Worry, and Tikki Times.
Kristen Lindquist had EREY recognition stickers for Mike Pierce, John Tohanson, Mary Sargent for their participation in Every Rotary Every Year.
November 4 will be a work day at the Camden Snowbowl, possibly including work on the shed and the chute.
Mike Pierce reported that the Window Dresser project has about 50 inserts for a one-day build on November 18, the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the CHRHS, including the homeowners, the interact kids and volunteers from the club. He’s going to Belfast to learn more on Thursday, October 26 from 1-5, let him know if you’d like to participate.
Etienne announced a Foundation grant seminar on November 4 in Waterville at the Alfond Center. He and Sandy will be attending and if you’d like to go, let them know. It explains the process and what grants are available.
Next week’s speaker is Amanda Sproul, talking about adoption.
Terry Bregy auctioned off a flourless chocolate espresso cake donated by Rick and Sheila Tasker. Lisa Dresser was the successful high bidder.
The Taskers and Mike Moore are returning to Florida, and we’ll see them next spring.
Youth exchange is recruiting for short-term exchange during the summer of 2018, and Heidi Karod is our contact for that program.