The State Visitor Information Centers are holding a food drive from November 5 through November 22. The Maine Tourism Association (MTA), the state’s largest nonprofit tourism business association, operates the seven centers on behalf of the state. MTA is asking for donations of canned and non-perishable food which will be donated to food pantries local to each Visitor Center. The centers are open 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, seven days a week.

CEO Tony Cameron stated, “We know that people are struggling, with the business shutdowns of the spring to layoffs to not working in order to educate children at home or care for sick family members. The pandemic has certainly hit the tourism industry hard. When brainstorming about how we, as the Maine Tourism Association, could help our communities our Kittery Visitor Center manager Jo Turcotte came up with the idea for a food drive. Everyone was instantly supportive and went to work in their own area to partner with a local food pantry. I’m truly appreciative of how dedicated our staff is to their region and the state.”

“This is a great opportunity for Maine residents to stop into their local Visitor Center, drop off a food donation and check out what the centers have to offer. The information is useful to everyone, not just visitors from away. Mainers can learn about regions of the state and sites they haven’t yet visited, pick up travel publications, or plan a trip with our kiosks,” Kittery Visitor Center Manager Jo Turcotte said.

For more information, please find the contact information for each center and the food pantry that will receive the donations; or visit the Maine Tourism Association’s events page at: https://www.mainetourism.com/event/annual-food-drive/3464/

 

Calais Information Center

39 Union Street, Suite B, Calais

Vicki Farrell, Manager

207-454-2211 • calaisi@mainetourism.com

Calais Food Pantry

 

Fryeburg Information Center

97 Main Street, US Rt. 302, Fryeburg

Dana Roffler, Manager

207-935-3639 • fryeburgi@mainetourism.com

Fryeburg Assembly of God Food Pantry

 

Hampden North & South

Hampden North: I-95 North, mile marker 175, Hampden

Hampden South: I-95 South, mile marker 179, Hampden

Connie Berry, Manager

207-862-6628 • hampdenin@mainetourism.com

Hampden Neighborhood Food Cupboard

 

Houlton Information Center

I-95 Exit 302, Ludlow Rd, Houlton

Cathy Hogan, Manager

207-532-6346 • houltoni@mainetourism.com

St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Houlton

 

Kittery Information Center

I-95 and US Rt. 1, Kittery

Jo Turcotte, Manager

207-439-1319 • kitteryi@mainetourism.com

Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery

 

Yarmouth Information Center

US Rt. 1/Exit 17 I-295, Yarmouth

Chris Riccardo, Manager

207-846-0833 • yarmouthi@mainetourism.com

Yarmouth Community Food Pantry

The Maine Tourism Association is the state’s largest tourism association and was incorporated in 1922. MTA represents members statewide that provide traditional tourism interests such as lodging, restaurants, camps and campgrounds, retail establishments, and cultural and heritage attractions. MTA also operates the seven State Visitor Information Centers and produces the state’s official travel planner, Maine Invites You.

 

# # #