Shaw’s Supermarkets recently made a donation to Good Shepherd Food Bank in the amount of $3,316.50 from the sale of its Easy Magazine. The funds will enable the food bank to provide nearly 23,000 pounds of food to families in need.

Good Shepherd Food Bank shared the funds with 10 Bangor area food pantries that serve families struggling with recent mill closings and a mill fire in Howland.

Jason Hall, administrator of agency relations for Good Shepherd Food Bank said, “Many food pantries are reporting significant increases in the number of families needing help. Given that every dollar donated can provide more than $12.50 value in food, this donation will certainly have a positive impact in these communities.”

Agencies receiving donations for food accounts include Crossroads Ministries, Ofelia’s Food Cupboard, Ecumenical Food Cupboard, Howland UMC Food Pantry, Brewer Christian Food Cupboard, St. Anne’s-Penobscot Nation Food Pantry, Linda’s Food Cupboard, Good Samaritan Agency, Amazing Grace Fellowship Food Cupboard and Lighthouse COG Bread of Life Food Pantry.

Good Shepherd Food Bank, in its 25th year, is headquartered in Auburn. Its distribution facility in Brewer serves more than 100 agencies in the Bangor region.

Statewide, more than 540 nonprofit agencies rely on the food bank to help meet the basic needs of those served. Agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless and abuse shelters, recovery centers, and services for the elderly and children.

It is estimated that more than 70,000 people are fed each month through the combined efforts of agencies.

Good Shepherd Food Bank’s executive director Rick Small said, “This donation has come to us at a special time of need. Families are not only facing difficulties associated with job displacements, but summertime brings it’s own challenges.”

Maine has more than 69,000 kids who qualify for free or reduced lunches at school. During the summer, pantries report longer lines and more kids seeking help.

An average family with two children could be facing the need to provide an additional 20 breakfasts and lunches.

“Sadly, we know many still go without,” said Small, “and to us, even one hungry person or child is too many.”

For more information on how to help, visit www.gsfb.org.