FedEx to take over Guard food deliveries

AUGUSTA – A local food bank will be among those most affected by the deployment of 170 Maine Army National Guard troops.

The 1136th Transportation Company, which departs Tuesday for Fort Dix in New Jersey, makes regular deliveries for the Augusta Food Bank.

So it came as good news Monday when the food bank learned that FedEx, the national delivery service, will temporarily provide the free deliveries.

“I think it’s great that FedEx has agreed to step in until the guard can do it again,” said Bernard Shaw, the food bank’s warehouse manager.

The 1136th Transportation Company has assisted the food bank for more than 10 years, hauling 12 to 15 pallets of food each month. The food bank depends on the deliveries to replenish inventories and to provide fresh food for recipients.

The nonprofit organization, which is supported by 13 churches in Augusta, gets about 380 requests for food each month.