Press Release
Hannaford Supermarkets partners with Maine Bicentennial to promote Statehood dinners
Mar. 06, 2020
Description
Hannaford Supermarkets and the Maine Bicentennial Commission announced their collaboration to promote the Maine Bicentennial Community Dinners across the state, to share Maine’s bounty with others and promote a healthy future for Maine’s communities.
Details:
Hannaford Supermarkets partners with Maine Bicentennial to promote Statehood dinners
AUGUSTA – Hannaford Supermarkets and the Maine Bicentennial Commission announced today their collaboration to promote the Maine Bicentennial Community Dinners across the state, to share Maine’s bounty with others and promote a healthy future for Maine’s communities.
The Maine Bicentennial Commission (Maine200) encourages all communities and organizations that regularly host bean suppers, potluck dinners, and casserole suppers to add extra flavor this year in celebrating Maine’s bicentennial.
“These dinners provide wonderful opportunities for community-building,” said Bicentennial Commission Chairman Sen. Bill Diamond. “What better time to embrace and expand that effort than during our 200th anniversary weekend?”
Diamond expressed appreciation for Hannaford’s partnership in promoting community dinners and urged Mainers across the State to attend a community dinner near them. Dinner organizers, whether the Grange, a local church or social organization, or a community center, are asked to coordinate with their local historical society or museum to offer a reflection on State or local history during statehood weekend, March 14-15.
Attendees are also encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to help their neighbors. As a Maine200 sponsor, Hannaford is leading the way with a $25,000 donation to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, in Auburn.
“We continue to be inspired by Hannaford’s commitment to our communities, and especially in the fight to end hunger in Maine,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “Hannaford has been helping the Food Bank nourish Mainers for nearly 40 years and this generous donation will continue to fuel us. As we embark on the next 100 years, we believe that ending hunger is within our grasp. Mainers, with their dedication to taking care of one another, can make this happen.”
Sen. Diamond and representatives of Hannaford Supermarkets announced this unique sponsorship Thursday at the company’s Whitten Road, Augusta, location.
“Hannaford and Good Shepherd Food Bank have a long history of working together to ensure Maine families have enough food to eat. Today we deepen that commitment and encourage all Mainers to do what we do best—look out for and help your neighbor,” said Brittany Quirion, Hannaford Director of Operations for the Augusta region. “Going back more than 135 years, Hannaford has been nourishing communities in Maine – and we know that great meals often bring friends, family, and neighbors together. Community dinners are at the heart of what makes Maine special and I have no doubt that Mainers will step up and help their neighbors by donating a non-perishable item.”
Community dinner organizers are encouraged to post their Maine Statehood weekend dinners on the Maine200.org event calendar. Several of the dinners are posted below and more are being added daily. Please note that not all dinners will fall on Statehood weekend.
- The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Maine’s First Ship, and the Merrymeeting Gleaners present a community Baked Bean Supper in honor of the State of Maine’s Bicentennial, March 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Bath Freight Shed, 27 Commercial St., Bath. Contact info@kennebecestuary.org or 207-442-8400.
- The Readfield Historical Society, The Readfield Community Library and The Readfield Age Friendly Committee will host a Public Potluck Supper on March 14, 6 p.m., Alfond Dining Commons, Kent’s Hill School, Main Street (Route 17), Readfield. Guests are encouraged to bring a hot dish or salad. David Cheever, vice chairman of the Maine Bicentennial Commission, will be the featured speaker.
- The Thomaston Maine 200 Committee will host a Boiled New England Dinner on March 14, 5 p.m. at the American Legion Williams-Brazier Post 037, 10 Watts Ave, Thomaston; $8 for adults, $5 for children.
- The Town of Brunswick and Bowdoin College will host a Bicentennial Bean Supper at Bowdoin College, Thorne Dining Hall, 255 Maine S., Brunswick, on March 14 from 4-6 p.m. The open house-style event features a historical program at 5 p.m. by PHC and Maine State Music Theatre, tours of Bowdoin Art Museum’s Maine-themed exhibits, crafts and games for kids, and music by Pejepscot Station. Tickets are $7.50 adults, $4.50 kids (5-12 years).
- The Augusta Elks Lodge #964, 367 Civic Center Drive, Augusta will host a public community supper celebrating Maine’s bicentennial birthday on Saturday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available at the Lodge and at the door.
- The Heart of Ellsworth will host a Bicentennial Baked Bean Supper on March 14 from 5-7 p.m. at 142 Main St., Ellsworth. Admission is $7 adults; $3 kids 12 and under, at the door. Live music, family games, cash bar.
- The Bicentennial Birthday Bash in Rockland, March 14, will feature a traditional Maine bean supper at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland, hosted in partnership with Rockland’s One Community Many Voices, and Café Miranda, from 12:30-5 p.m. The public is invited to bring food donations and drop them off at any one of the partner organizations throughout the day-long event.
- The Town of Eliot will host a Community Supper featuring baked beans, hot dogs and ham, brown bread and more, from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the United Methodist Church, Route 236 in Eliot. Organizers are seeking donations to the Footprints Food Pantry.
- St. Michael Parish, 75 Northern Avenue in Augusta, will host a special pasta dinner on Saturday, March 14, from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit the area’s Meals on Wheels program. Please RSVP at (207) 623-8823.
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church is hosting a community supper on Friday, March 20 from 4:30-6 p.m. to celebrate Maine’s bicentennial. The supper will feature traditional Maine foods, and a historical display. Supper is free, but donations will be accepted to support fuel assistance and other emergency services provided by St. Rose Parish Social Ministry. The dinner will include pasta with the choice of Bolognese, marinara, and alfredo sauces, as well as salad, garlic bread, desserts and beverages.
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