Did you know that Maine ranks third among the states for the rate of hunger?
We are the highest in New England with over 16% of Maine households (over 200,000 Mainers) being identified as food insecure. Sadly, this includes 1 out of 5 children! As a Maine credit union, part of our mission is “Maine people helping Maine people” which is why each year we coordinate initiatives to raise money and make an impact on the hunger problem in our local communities.
LAST YEAR—WITH YOUR HELP—KFVCU RAISED OVER $10,000 TO HELP END HUNGER IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. From distributing funds to raising awareness, KV Federal Credit Union will continue to work hard and combat the hunger problem in our community.
We proudly contribute to Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger campaign, which has raised more than $8 million to help end food insecurity in our state. 100% of funds raised are directly distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, Meals on Wheels, and backpack programs in Kennebec and Somerset counties.
Want to help?
Statistics on Hunger in Maine
- More than 40% of Maine kids under the age of 12 show some evidence of hunger.
- 68,950 Maine children are food insecure.
- Hunger and the risk of hunger are widespread among Maine’s low-income families with children.
- The likelihood of experiencing hunger or the risk of hunger is directly related to income.
- New data shows that 17% of Maine households—representing 200,000 people—experience food insecurity. Maine ranks 13th in the nation in food insecurity and first in New England.
- Several factors contribute to hunger in Maine; including income growth that is outpaced by cost of living; high level of underemployment; widening gap between rich and poor; illiteracy; and lack of consumer information on nutrition.
- Several groups are found to be at greater risk of hunger in Maine; children, adults in low income families, disabled persons, persons with special needs, the elderly, those living in rural regions and the inner cities of Maine’s largest urban places.
- Children living in households which experienced hunger or the risk of hunger are more likely to experience health or school-related problems.