Camp Out Hunger Broke Records – Thanks For Helping Us Feed Central Maine

One of the best things about living in Maine is how we always step up to help out others in need.

Even though food insecurity has always been an issue in Maine, we have seen the need spike over the last few years.

First, it was the layoffs brought on by the pandemic.  Then, the economy went in the tank.  More recently, the government shutdown caused people to not get their SNAP benefits and prevented federal government workers from getting their pay.

Yes, we know that those workers will get all of their pay once the government reopens, but that does not help their families now.

So, yes, the need for food services has increased a lot over the last few years.

While anyone going hungry is an awful thing, the really tragic part is the fact that 1-in-5 children deal with food insecurity.  So, if there are 20 kids in your child's class, about 4 of them often go to bed without knowing where their next meal is coming from.

Fortunately, you have stepped up to help those dealing with food insecurity here in Central Maine

The 7th Annual Camp Out Hunger

This year's Camp Out Hunger was held at the Sam's Club Augusta parking lot between Monday, November 3rd, and Friday, November 7th.  As we mentioned above, it was one for the record books.

Let's start by taking a look at the last few years.

According to Capital Region Salvation Army Captain Keith Davis, the 2023 the event raised $7,800 in cash donations and 36,700 pounds in food with a retail value of $147,00. In 2024, the event raised $8,146 and a total of 37,900 pounds of food with an estimated retail value of $150,000.

Fast forward to 2025 and the seventh annual Camp Out Hunger food drive and the Central Maine community rallied hard to make it a record year. Captain Keith said that this year we raised a staggering $15,758.00 in cash donations and a whopping 41,250 pounds of non-perishable food with an estimated retail value of $165,000.