Hope for the Holidays Food Drive 2011 has commenced
NorState Federal Credit Union’s annual Hope for the Holidays Food Drive is entering its eighth year. It continues through Dec. 21.
Angele Bourgoin, Ending Hunger coordinator for NorState, invites everyone to contribute in whatever means they can toward the food drive, with donations of non-perishable food items that can be dropped off at over 30 local merchants, organizations or at any NorState FCU locations in Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, Madawaska, Ashland, Presque Isle or Van Buren.
Denise Cote, a longtime advocate for the food drive, and marketing director of NorState FCU adds: “We have partnered with Channel X Radio this year to bring you the annual food drive. This food drive is one of the biggest for the St. John Valley and has been extended to incorporate our central Aroostook offices and surrounding communities.”
“We are thankful that our co-sponsor will be broadcasting daily and weekly updates through the airwaves and assisting us in raising awareness about this ever-increasing need in the Valley,” she said.
“This is a big undertaking and many volunteer hours and generous donors help in stocking the shelves of food pantries that oftentimes see a higher demand to feed our friends and neighbors because of heating or medical expenses,” continued Cote.
Since 1999, NorState FCU has distributed over $125,000 and collected over 40,000 pounds of non-perishable food items for local pantries.
“Working together to make sure that no one goes without food in northern Maine is instrumental in the fight to end hunger locally,” added David Rossignol, CEO.
Donations of non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the following locations during normal business hours: Madawaska — Paradis Shop N’ Save, Bob’s Service Center, NorState FCU, Twin Rivers Bond Security, Bob’s Neighborhood Store and Marden’s; St. David — Morin’s Variety; Grand Isle — St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel Church; Van Buren — Saucier’s Shurfine, Tulsa, NorState FCU and Keegan Variety; Sinclair — Martin’s General Store; St. Agatha — Babin’s Grocery and St. Agatha FCU; Frenchville —Jim’s Convenience, Jes’ Foodland and Paul’s Gas; Eagle Lake — 4-Way Quik Stop, Bald Eagle and NorState FCU; Fort Kent — Paradis Shop N’ Save, John’s Shurfine and NorState FCU; St. Francis — Joe’s Country Store; Ashland — NorState FCU, Ashland One-Stop, Babe’s Variety and Ashland Foodmart; Caribou — Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center and Save-A-Lot; Presque Isle — Star City IGA, NorState FCU and Governor’s Restaurant; Mars Hill — Mars Hill IGA; and Fort Fairfield Hillside IGA.
Monetary contributions can be sent to NorState FCU, 78 Fox Street, Madawaska, ME 04756. Make your check payable to: Hope for the Holidays Food Drive.
For more information about how you can assist or contribute toward the Hope for the Holidays Food Drive, contact Angele Bourgoin or Denise Cote at 800-804-7555 or www.norstatefcu.org.
