Maine Credit Unions Campaign for Ending Hunger Launches $100,000 Challenge

(WESTBROOK)-The Maine Credit Union League and Synergent joined representatives from Good Shepherd Food Bank to announce the launch of a new, month-long fundraising drive to support Good Shepherd Food Bank's COVID-19 response and community food pantries. The Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger $100.000 Challenge will be raising funds to benefit the Food Bank and local pantries with their hunger relief efforts.

"Maine is ranked 12th in the nation for food insecurity, but I'm afraid these numbers don't reflect the current need," said Todd Mason, President/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent. "COVID-19 has dramatically changed our economy. Families who were food secure-even a few months ago-are now struggling to put food on the table. This challenge was created to help Good Shepherd Food Bank meet the growing demand for food assistance in communities across our state."

As part of the challenge, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to make an online donation to Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger. 75% of the funds raised online during the Challenge by Maine credit unions will go back to communities in the form of financial support to local food pantries and meal sites. 25% of the funds raised will benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank. Synergent, the Maine Credit Union League's service subsidiary, has pledged $100,000 to kick start the fundraising effort-money the Campaign will direct to Good Shepherd Food Bank's COVID-19 response.

"Maine credit unions have been working collaboratively to end hunger in Maine since 1990," said Cheryl Lancaster, Executive Vice President of Member Services at the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent. "But we'll need the public's help to make this credit union fundraising drive successful. We are encouraging people to open their hearts and wallets to this important effort and challenge others to do the same."

The Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger $100,000 Challenge kicks off today and runs until July 4. All donations can be made securely online and are tax deductible.

"We are regularly surveying food pantries, meal sites, schools, and other hunger-relief partners to understand the challenges they are facing and any gaps in service," said Kristen Miale, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. "When asked if they are seeing an increased need, 47% responded they are seeing demand rise at every distribution. With retail donations declining, the Food Bank must purchase more items and costs are steadily rising. Fundraisers like these are vital to our operations."

Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $9.4 million, including a record-breaking $832,000 raised last year.

The Maine Credit Union League is a nonprofit, professional trade association that exists to serve Maine's credit unions. Founded in 1938, the League's mission is to help credit unions succeed and improve the financial lives of their members. As the trade association for Maine's credit unions, the League provides advocacy, education, and other resources designed to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of their membership. For more information, visit www.mainecul.org.

Founded by credit unions in 1971, Synergent is a managed services provider that offers state-of­ the-art and innovative core processing, in-demand payments, technology, and marketing services. As a service-driven and cost-effective host of Symitar's Episys® core processing, Synergent provides credit unions with the products and services they need to succeed. No matter what the product, our clients can count on Synergent to choose it, install it, integrate it, and help credit unions get the most out of it so they can focus on providing the best service experience possible to their members. For more information on Synergent, please visit www.synergentcorp.com, or call 800-341-0180.