DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been told that The Good Shepherd Food Bank charges area food pantries for food, and I’m concerned that this is causing the local food pantries to have unstocked shelves because there aren’t enough available funds.

I also see that Shaw’s is raising cash donations for the food bank. Why are food pantries charged for food when they are receiving donations and donated food to feed the poor?

—No name, no town

ANSWER: According to Clara McConnell, director of public affairs, the Good Shepherd Food Bank partners with 400 local organizations across Maine to distribute food to Mainers facing hunger. Together with that network, the food bank distributes more than 28 million pounds of food a year. As you might imagine, it’s a big undertaking to source and distribute that amount of food safely and efficiently.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank partners help offset some of the cost by contributing what are called “shared maintenance fees.” They order items from the food bank and are charged a fee. Some donated products cost between 0–16 cents per pound. There is no fee for fresh produce, and other products that the Food Bank purchases go out at cost. On average, partners pay 10 cents per pound for product they access through the food bank. These shared maintenance fees help offset the costs of sourcing, inspecting, sorting, storing and transporting the food that is distributed across the state.

This system of a central food bank distributing food to local organizations and utilizing a shared maintenance fee to help with costs is not unique to Maine. It is used throughout the country. Good Shepherd Food Bank is part of a network of more than 200 food banks across the United States.

While the fees that Good Shepherd’s partner agencies contribute are vital to their organization, they make up approximately 20 percent of cash revenue. The majority of the revenue comes from donations from individuals, foundations and corporations (75 percent). The remainder comes from USDA contracts and other sources (5 percent). The Food Bank definitely relies on cash donations and they encourage people to give locally, as well.

People should absolutely be donating to their local food pantries because that helps ensure that neighbors in your town have access to the nutritious food they need. When you give to the food bank, you’re supporting the entire statewide effort of getting as much food as we can to people in need from Kittery to Fort Kent.

On the note about Shaw’s in particular, that holiday fundraiser usually goes to a local food pantry and the decision is made solely by Shaw’s.

Clara encourages readers to reach out to Lewiston-Auburn area food pantries to hear their perspective. These local organizations can share what their challenges are and how you can help if you are led to do that. The hope of Good Shepherd is that local food pantries value the service that Good Shepherd offers and sees them as an important part of fulfilling their mission. It’s so important that everyone, even those who can give just a few dollars or a bag of canned goods, work together.

Clara, thank you for the good information!

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