This week we had our first hybrid meeting with our guest speaker Melissa Huston from Good Shepherd Food Bank. Thank you to China Hill for allowing us the space to have our meeting #ellsworthrotary #peopleofaction #wearerotary
Opening Ceremonies: President President Laura Pellerano called the meeting to order. Invocation by Allegra Pellerano and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. 19 Members attended the meeting at China Hill and 8 Members attending via Zoom/Telephone.
Greeter: Laura Pellerano
Sargent at Arms: Julie and Tony Bouchard
Guests: Melissa Huston and Butch Moore
Birthdays: Mike Mariano on July 21st and Ray Williams on July 24th. Happy Birthday!!
Happy Dollars Highlights: Jack Frost, Melody Pereira, Iris Simon, Pam Cushing, Gene Pellerano, Carl Lusby, Cindy Shoppe, Tracy Shaffer and Laura Pellerano.
All Happy Dollars goes towards Forgotten Felines this quarter. They rescue and rehome Rehabilitate and provide assistance with spay and neutering stray and feral cats. They are 100% funded by donations and funds raised from yard sales and craft fairs.
Rotary Business:
- Laura Pellerano read a Thank You Card from one of our scholarship students.
- Scott Kimball reminded members the Blood Drive is the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the Ellsworth Elks Lodge from 1:00pm – 6:00pm. Let Scott know if you are interested in volunteering.
- Don’t forget about Polio Plus and EREY! Please consider making a donation.
Program/Speaker: This week’s guest speaker was Melissa Huston of the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
Melissa joined Good Shepherd Food Bank (GSFB) in 2010 and is passionate about the foundational role that good health and nutritious food plays in achieving stability for all ages. As a Major Gift Officer, Melissa is honored to work with donors to identify their philanthropic goals and advance the Food Bank’s innovative strategic plan to ensure food security for all Mainers.
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, Good Shepherd Food Bank and its network of over 500 partners across the state have been called upon in unprecedented ways.
Hunger in Maine (Pre-COVID-19) – Over 200,000 Mainers considered food insecure, 13.6% of households. Affecting 1 in 5 children. 12th in the country, highest rate in the Northeast.
COVID-19 Response: GSFB is an active member of Maine’s Emergency Response Team. The team has been meeting daily since mid-February.
Following the CDC guidelines, they have implemented workplace safety mechanisms to keep dedicated staff members safe. They are working closely with state and county agencies and staying connected with Feeding America to learn from the responses from food banks and other states.
They have partnered with L.L. Bean on pre-packaged food boxes to offer low touch options for the safety of the pantry clients and volunteers. Average of 10,000 boxes a week.
91% of the food pantries they serve are seeing an increase of people seeking help, some by as much as 50%.
Laura Pellerano gave Melissa our Rotary Speaker’s Mug and a Certificate of Appreciation to The Good Shepard Food Bank from the Rotary Foundation.
Respectfully submitted by Ashley Johnson
