At Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation, we believe no one should go hungry. That’s why we support local nonprofits through grants, hands-on volunteerism, and by sharing their stories to inspire action. We rally our members and communities to join us—collecting food, giving generously, and showing up for neighbors in need. Together, we’re nourishing our communities with heart, hope, and the belief that everyone deserves a full plate.
The Lighthouse Foundation will be a beacon of support in the effort to end food insecurity in New Hampshire and Maine—standing alongside nonprofit partners to strengthen programs, scale solutions, and ensure every neighbor knows they’re not alone.
As Maine’s largest hunger‑relief organization, Good Shepherd Food Bank plays a critical role in confronting the state’s food insecurity crisis—one of the highest rates in New England. In its most recent fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed over 40 million meals to communities across Maine, more than 19% increase over the last couple of years, through a network of nearly 600 partner agencies—including food pantries, schools, senior centers, and shelters scattered from Kittery to Fort Kent. By collaborating with 90 local farms via its Mainers Feeding Mainers initiative, the Food Bank has delivered more than 3.6 million pounds of fresh, locally harvested produce, dairy, and protein—both nourishing families and strengthening Maine’s agricultural economy. Its innovative healthcare partnerships also integrate food access into healthcare settings, connecting thousands of patients with nutritious food during medical visits. Through these multifaceted efforts—direct distribution, farm collaboration, nutrition education, and advocacy—Good Shepherd is not only feeding Mainers experiencing hunger but working toward long-term stability and a future where everyone in Maine is food secure.
In today’s challenging environment, many nonprofit partners are struggling due to cuts in USDA programs and reduced funding. That’s why Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation is deepening our collaboration with the New Hampshire Food Bank, the state’s central hub for hunger relief, to empower smaller food pantries and meal programs in the communities we serve.
Funding will enable NH Food Bank to award grants to agency partners for critical upgrades like new shelving and facility improvements. But the need goes beyond infrastructure. Through ongoing conversations with our partners, we’ve identified several high-priority areas for future investment:
As a Feeding America partner, the NH Food Bank provides vital guidance to their agency partners. Looking to successful models—like those in Maine—they plan to shape capacity-building grants that can maximize impact locally. By focusing on organizations near Lighthouse Credit Union branches, this partnership not only provides funding but also fosters volunteer opportunities that strengthen community ties.
Red’s Good Vibes (RGV) was founded by three siblings to honor the legacy of our brother, Red, whose dream was simple: to create a way for people to receive a meal without shame, judgment, or barriers. What began with our free meal food trucks, serving made-from-scratch meals with dignity and choice, has grown into something much bigger. While our trucks remain an essential part of what we do, and have served over 500,000 meals, we quickly recognized that hunger doesn’t operate on a schedule, and consistent, anytime access was needed. That’s where the Community Fridge Network began.
Community fridges have long been a grassroots form of mutual aid, a way for neighbors to care for one another directly, without red tape or restrictions. Red’s Good Vibes didn’t invent this model. We simply help make it easier for communities ready to do this work. When a neighborhood expresses interest in starting a fridge, we help remove the obstacles that can prevent good ideas from becoming reality. We provide startup funding, navigate regulations, identify safe host sites, purchase equipment, and offer guidance on safety and logistics. Once the fridge is placed and open, it belongs entirely to the community. Neighbors take full ownership stocking, maintaining, and caring for the fridge as their own. Our role is to stand beside them, offering support as needed, while the community leads. Each fridge carries our shared motto: “Take what you need. Leave what you can.”
The impact of this model goes far beyond food access. By removing barriers and empowering communities to organize and sustain their own resources, we help restore dignity, rebuild trust, and strengthen neighborhoods. This isn’t charity, t’s people taking care of people. And when communities are given space to care for each other directly, lasting change happens.