Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets has committed $100,000 to two nonprofits working to provide food to unhoused youth in Maine and New York.
New Beginnings in Lewiston, Maine, and Hudson River Housing in Poughkeepsie, New York, will each receive $50,000 to expand food access and increase kitchen capacity.
About 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness annually in the U.S. At least 57 percent of them also are facing food insecurity. Hannaford’s funding targets that overlap, with the goal of freeing young people to focus on education, employment and long-term stability.
“At Hannaford, we recognize that nutritious food is vital to overall health and wellbeing,” said Sherri Stevens, community impact manager. “By supporting efforts to provide young people with fresh, healthy food, we’re helping to ensure future generations have the basic necessities needed to thrive.”
New beginnings
New Beginnings serves more than 600 unhoused youth annually through street outreach, drop-in services, a 24-hour youth shelter, emergency shelters and transitional living programs.
“Partnerships like the one we share with Hannaford remind us how powerful it is to be part of a community that truly shows up for one another,” said Zackary Lavoie, director of development and community relations.
“Hannaford’s commitment to ensuring every young person has access to nutritious, filling meals is both meaningful and transformative, and this partnership allows us to ensure that every young person our community has access to a meal and the care that comes with it.”
Hudson River housing
Hudson River Housing serves more than 900 families annually, including more than 350 youth under age 18.
“[We are] proud to partner with Hannaford to ensure that young people experiencing homelessness in our community have reliable access to healthy, nourishing food,” said Christa Hines, CEO and president.
“Hannaford’s support strengthens our ability to meet basic needs while building stability and dignity for the youth we serve.”
Hannaford operates 188 stores across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, with nearly 30,000 employees.
In 2024, the company donated more than 27.6 million pounds of food to hunger-relief organizations and supported about 135 community partners.
[RELATED: Hannaford Charitable Foundation Commits $1.16M]