AUGUSTA – Maine’s First Family greeted and expressed their gratitude to the generous Mainers who dropped by the Blaine House Saturday with donations of nonperishable food items.
Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage welcomed the public at their residence in the first of three Saturday donation days as part of their Second Annual Blaine House Food Drive.
In addition to accepting the donations on behalf of the Good Shepherd Food Bank and offering their heartfelt thanks, the two led tours of the residence and invited the public to enjoy light refreshments.
Additional donation days will be held between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 10.
Good Shepherd will determine the communities that need the food most and then distribute the donations – which last year amounted to thousands of pounds – accordingly.
“As someone who has been without, I know how meaningful these donations can be in bettering the lives of those less fortunate as they get on their feet,” said Governor LePage. “The First Lady and I are happy to open the Blaine House for this critical cause, and we are so proud and appreciative of the generosity of our fellow citizens in helping our neighbors in need. It is not government hand-outs but the great compassion and commitment Maine people and community organizations like Good Shepherd have for lending a hand-up that is improving lives and strengthening our great state.”
Good Shepherd supplies sufficient amounts of food from Kittery to Fort Kent through their partner network of more than 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and other hunger relief organizations.
“We are very thankful to have the support of the Governor and his family, along with all the community members who will make donations during the Blaine House food drives,” said Kristen Miale, president of the Good Shepherd Food Bank. “As we prepare for the long winter ahead, the Food Bank is working to make sure we’re able to provide an ongoing supply of high quality food items to 36,000 Mainers each week. These food drives will certainly help us reach that goal.”