WESTBROOK – Seeking a way to honor the memory of JoAnn Pike, a long-time partner and friend in the effort to end hunger in Maine, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger held a special ceremony at the Maine Credit Union League to present a $10,500 check to Ted Brown, interim executive director of the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn.

With the check, which will go toward the JoAnn Pike Building Fund to eliminate the organization’s mortgage, Maine’s credit unions have contributed $50,000 to Good Shepherd in the past five years.

Pike founded the food bank nearly 25 years ago and served as its executive director until illness forced her to retire in February. She died March 17.

The food bank is where more than 90 percent of Maine’s hunger organizations receive the food to serve thousands of people across the state. The main facility is in Auburn, and there is a warehouse in Brewer.

In accepting the check, Brown praised Maine’s credit unions for “being a true leader in providing financial support to the cause of ending hunger in Maine. The credit unions help us help others make a difference. Credit unions are a special friend to the thousands of Maine people that otherwise would go hungry without their assistance, commitment and dedication.”

Jon Paradise, governmental and public affairs manager for the league, said, “The Maine Credit Union movement had a special relationship with JoAnn and a partnership that worked well together to support the cause of ending hunger in Maine. This is a way for Maine’s credit unions to honor her memory. We will continue to work with the Good Shepherd to help end hunger in Maine.”

In 2003 the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger raised $209,035.75 and has raised more than $1.53 million since it began in 1990. All the money that the credit unions raise goes to the cause of ending hunger and stays in Maine.