University of New England students and volunteers came together across two campuses – Biddeford and Portland – last week to pack 100,000 non perishable meal kits in hopes of tackling food insecurity in Maine.
The event, dubbed “Meals for Maine,” was held as part of national September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance events that took place throughout the country in an effort to bring people together in the spirit of service and memory of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Last year, UNE packed 50,000 meals. This year, student Charlotte Hosterman was proud to be one of the students helping to pack 100,000 meals.
“This event helps so many people in need and takes away the stress of them finding where their next meal will come from,” Hosterman said.
Hosterman, a member of the class of 2027 who studies Occupational Studies, learned about Meals for Maine through an email. Then, as vice president of the Hunger Initiative club, Hosterman helped to recruit volunteers and spread information about last week’s event.
“It was a lot of fun and really brought together the UNE community,” Hosterman said Monday. “Everyone who showed up did their part and it really helped the event run smoothly.”
Each year, UNE hopes to increase the number of meal kits provided to those in need, inspiring more members of the university community to make a difference in their communities.
“It’s really special,” Hosterman said.
UNE was one of only a handful of schools nationwide to receive funding to support the meal-kit initiative from the 9/11 National Day of Service organization, the Pack Shack’s “Feed the Funnel” grant program, AmeriCorps, and MyGoodDeed.
It is also one of the smallest institutions to be recognized for its efforts to end hunger nationwide, Office of Service Learning Director Trisha Mason said.
“By promoting education and raising awareness about critical issues like food insecurity, UNE is empowering students to become proactive leaders who can drive positive change for years to come,” Mason said.
The meal kits will be distributed across Maine with a focus on reaching older adults, children, new Mainer families, and other vulnerable groups.
According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate in Maine was 13% in 2022, meaning close to 200,000 Maine residents experience food insecurity.
A 2017 study by Preble Street reported that one-third of food-insecure Mainers reside in just two counties: Penobscot County and Cumberland County. The other two-thirds of food-insecure Mainers reside in more rural areas.
“Access to nutritional food is vital for good health and overall well-being,” Mason said. “Food insecurity presents a significant barrier to both.”
As a health professions institution, Mason said UNE is leading efforts to foster education, raise awareness, and involve students like Hosterman in efforts to address the significant public health challenge of food insecurity in Maine.
“Meals for Maine puts UNE at the forefront of tackling food insecurity from a public health perspective,” Mason said.
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