Maine Financial Institution Packs Over 40,000 Meals For Local Food Pantries

According to an article on the WABI website, the team from University Credit Union spent much of Monday helping to feed those in Maine who are dealing with food insecurity.

Every Patriots’ Day, University Credit Union teams up to give back to the community, and organizers say this year’s effort is their largest yet.

Community Engagement Manager Seth Poplaski said that while a day off would be nice, he’d much rather spend the time giving back, calling the experience incredibly rewarding.

Inside the Augusta Civic Center, things were running like a finely tuned assembly line Monday.  More than 100 U.C.U. employees packed roughly 41,000 meals that will be distributed to 15 food pantries across Maine.

President and CEO Renee Ouellette said the credit union philosophy has always centered on helping others, and events like this give their team a chance to come together and make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.

This marks the fourth “Here for U Day of Service,” but the first time it’s taken this form. Ouellette said the timing is critical, noting that many food pantries are struggling to keep up with growing demand, and she’s glad the organization can help fill some of that gap.

It’s also the first time employees from branches across the state have gathered in one location for the annual event. Poplaski said it’s a rare chance to reconnect with coworkers he may only see once a year, adding that the day doubles as a strong team-building experience.

After the meals are packed, many employees take boxes back to their home communities, personally delivering them to local food pantries.