IN THE NEWS: Click to read in Bill Nemitz: Ringing in the holidays with tasty Maine spuds from November 28, 2021 about how Jason Briggs, parishioner at Trinity, Saco and vice president of business development for VIP Tour & Charter in Portland (pictured below), has been inspired through the years to donate pallets of Aroostook County potatoes to points south. The article talks about his collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Maine including the time they ended up with 50,000 instead of 5,000 pounds of potatoes to distribute!
Join others throughout the diocese in helping to feed Maine. With contributions from individuals and parishes, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine will be able to share the message of our faith in action with the larger community, giving people the nourishment and encouragement needed to make it through difficult times.
The Diocesan Hunger Initiative partnered with the USDA Farm to Families Food Box Program in Maine. Each time we participated, 1,300 boxes of 20 pounds of local food plus gallons of milk are distributed to Maine people for free! Counties were designated by the USDA. Our first time out in July of 2019, we headed to Biddeford. (See News Center Maine coverage here.)
“We are honored to help our neighbors in need during these difficult times,” said Bishop Thomas James Brown. “Jesus taught us to not love in word but in deed and we are living that mission today and every day. The Episcopal Diocese of Maine expects to participate in other USDA food distribution projects statewide throughout the summer.”
Read more about the program in this Episcopal News Service article, Maine diocese’s food distribution ministry connects farmers with jobless residents and in this Portland Press Herald Op-Ed from Representatives Donna Bailey, D-Saco and Lori K. Gramlick, D-Old Orchard Beach here As more Mainers struggle with food insecurity, communities come together to help.
The diocese continues to explore opportunities to partner with large-scale farm distribution. Stay tuned!
The diocese will also purchase potatoes through the Maine Farmers’ Exchange to distribute where there is both need and ability to store and use large shipments.
You can contribute by check made out to Episcopal Diocese of Maine with subject line “Diocesan Hunger Initiative” mailed to: ATTN: John Hennessy, Episcopal Diocese of Maine, PO Box 4036, Portland, ME 04101.
We also have set up a way for you to give electronically. Just click on the “Donate” button on the home page.
We’re so excited to be engaging with all of you in this very real opportunity to make a difference.
Thank you again for supporting our community.
Questions? Contact John Hennessy.