Tourism association kicks off statewide food drive

Six Maine State Visitor Information Centers are participating in the Maine Tourism Association’s annual Food Drive through Monday, Nov. 21.

The Maine Tourism Association, the state’s largest nonprofit tourism business association, operates the centers on behalf of the state. The association is asking for donations of canned and non-perishable food. Each visitor center partners with a local food pantry and the centers serve as collection spots, and deliver the donations to the food pantries. The centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week.

“In 2020, our Visitor Center Managers created this Annual Food Drive to assist with pandemic hardships. People are still struggling — now with high food, fuel, and other cost of living prices. This is one way the Maine Tourism Association can help our communities. I’m truly appreciative of how dedicated our staff is to their region and the state,” said CEO Tony Cameron, in a news release from the association.

For more information, visit mainetourism.com.

• Calais Information Center, 39 Union St., Suite B, Calais, Vicki Farrell, manager, 207-454-2211 • calaisi@mainetourism.com; Calais Food Pantry.

• Fryeburg Information Center, 97 Main St., US Route 302, Fryeburg, Eva Johnson, 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, Anglers Restaurant, 91 Coldbrook Road, Hampden, is additional drop-off location, Connie Berry, manager, 207-862-6628, hampdenin@mainetourism.com; Hampden Neighborhood Food Cupboard.

• Kittery Information Center, I-95 and US Route 1, Kittery, Jane Anderson, manager, 207-439-1319, kitteryi@mainetourism.com; Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery.

• Yarmouth Information Center, U.S. Route 1/Exit 17 I-295, Yarmouth, Nigel Osborne, manager, 207-846-0833, yarmouthi@mainetourism.com; Yarmouth Community Food Pantry.