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.
# # #