Hannaford Supermarkets is committing $400,000 to help children gain access to summer camp, nutritious food and youth development programs.

The pledge to help children who face barriers in life represents a 10 percent increase in the supermarket chain’s $4 million annual charitable donation, called Hannaford Helps.

“With these Hannaford Helps contributions, we are focusing on the fact that a community is only as strong as its next generation,” said Hannaford President Mike Vail in a company release.

About $250,000 of the initiative will provide funding for more than 200 low-income children to attend youth development programs focused on raising their aspirations, giving them new life skills and helping them accomplish their full potential. The remaining $150,000 will purchase nutritious food for school pantries and other programs that help needy children who are at risk of going hungry, as well as provide school supplies and gift cards for teachers’ use, according to the release.

Donations are going to the following Maine organizations:

Bangor YMCA/Camp Jordan, $15,000; Camp Susan Curtis, $20,000; Maine Youth Alliance, $10,000; Camp Postcard, $5,000; Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp, $5,000; Good Shepherd Food Bank, $50,000; and 60 Maine schools, $10,000.

The supermarket made the announcement Friday at its Scarborough headquarters.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.