Contributions made to hunger relief

Contact:
Eric Blom
207-885-3132

News Release

 

 

 

Portland, Maine -- Hannaford Supermarkets today donated $36,000 in gift cards to 19 hunger-relief agencies that help feed Portland residents who are at risk of going without the nutritious food they need. An estimated 5,000 households in Cumberland County rely on food pantries each month.

 

The gifts result from a program in which Hannaford gave away more than 138,000 of its reusable "Fight Hunger" bags to customers of its two Portland stores. Hannaford donates 25 cents toward hunger relief each time a customer purchases a Fight Hunger bag or the company gives one away.

 

During the bag program's first year, hunger relief agencies in five states received money to pay for 357,000 meals. About a quarter million of those meals went to hungry Mainers.

 

"We can eliminate hunger in Portland and across Maine by working together," said Heather Paquette, Vice President of Retail Operations for Hannaford in Maine and New Hampshire. "Hannaford is proud to support the many agencies and individuals who work tirelessly every day to ensure our neighbors have access to the nutritious food they need."

 

Also Thursday, the grocer announced a new initiative of its Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger program, designed to raise money for hunger relief in the summer when children often lose access to school-based meal programs and donations decline.

 

The "Hunger doesn't take a vacation" initiative encourages customers to buy three participating products to trigger a $1 donation to their food bank. Customers also receive a coupon worth $2 off their next shopping trip for buying those three products.

About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 186 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs more than 27,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.