LEWISTON – The staff and management of Rainbow Federal Credit Union worked through the year to raise funds for the credit union’s ongoing efforts to end hunger in Maine.

Credit unions throughout Maine pursue the goal as a collective group and as individual credit unions in their respective communities. This year approximately $170,000 has been raised by Maine’s credit unions. Much of the monies that have been raised over the years has gone primarily to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $1.53 million to help end hunger in Maine.

“Rainbow FCU has been a zealot when it comes to this cause. We have had bake sales, sold candy bars and piggy banks, raffled off quilts and gift baskets; all for the one single cause of Ending Hunger in Maine. This year we raised half of our monies through a special cookbook that we put together and offered to our members,” said President and CEO Phil Moreau.

“In addition to great recipes from our members and friends, we were also elated to add recipes from some very well known individuals, including former First Lady Barbara Bush; author Stephen King; Sens. Snowe and Collins; U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud; and Gov. John Baldacci,” Moreau said.

Each year the Social Responsibility Committee of Rainbow Federal Credit Union determines what organizations will receive assistance. It is based upon the communities that Rainbow serves in Androscoggin and Oxford counties, and the food pantries that service those communities.

“The Good Shepherd Food-Bank always receives funds from Rainbow, but we also try to aid the smaller organizations,” said Director of Marketing Jackie Kahn

The organizations helped this year are the Salvation Army, Journey of Hope, Crossroads Ministries, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Oxford Hills Food Pantry, Hope Haven Mission, Rural Community Action Ministry and the Good Shepherd Food-Bank.