Senator Collins speaks at Summer Food Service Program Kick-Off in Bangor

"Thank you, Kristen. It is a pleasure to join you today in the cause of making sure
Maine's children are well fed.

"The Bangor-Brewer Summer Food Service Program
demonstrates the power of partnerships. Federal, state, and local
governments, organizations like the Good Shepherd Food Bank, and schools have
come together to ensure that summer should be a time of fun and of good
nutrition for our children. The Good Shepherd Food Bank, with its many
supporters and volunteers throughout Maine, has led the way in bringing this
partnership together.

The need is great. During the school year, more than
80,000 Maine children get the nutrition they need through the free and
reduced-price lunch program. Yet during the summer months, only about 17
percent have access to healthy and delicious lunches from local meal
programs. That means that some 66,000 Maine children go without.
The success of the Bangor-Brewer program serves as a model that can help end
summer hunger throughout our State.

"It is especially significant that Good Shepherd
works with volunteers and organizations in the community to offer enrichment
activities, such as gardening and sports. The Bangor-Brewer program
truly is helping kids power up for summer fun.

"As a founding member of the Senate Hunger Caucus, I
know that we have done much in Washington to ensure food security for Americans
of all ages, but that there is much more to do. From infants to seniors,
good nutrition is a vital part of wellness and of preventing and treating
disease. It is essential that our neighbors in need have both enough to
eat and that they have access to food that contributes to good health.

"Throughout my service in the Senate, I have been a
strong advocate for the SNAP program and for Head Start to help low-income
individuals and families meet their nutritional needs. I appreciate the
importance of affordable, nutritious meals through the school programs that
serve so many children, and continue to work to ensure that Congress provides
robust funding for the most effective food and nutrition programs.

"But we will always need the caring and dedicated
citizens in our communities who are on the front lines. The Bangor-Brewer
Summer Food Service Program is a shining example of people working together to
make a difference, and I congratulate you on this great accomplishment.

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