Hannaford: A Model Community Partner for YCAN

How Commitment and Generosity Make a Difference in Yarmouth

In Yarmouth, Maine, the relationship between Hannaford Supermarkets and Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors (YCAN) is a living testament to the power of sustained collaboration and meaningful impact. Through their thoughtful initiatives—most notably the Fight Hunger Bag Program, ongoing food donations to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry, and support for Project Holiday gift cards—Hannaford has demonstrated what it truly means to be a great community partner and supporter of YCAN and its programs.

Hannaford’s Commitment to alleviating Hunger: The Fight Hunger Bag Program

Among Hannaford’s efforts to address hunger in the community it serves lies the Fight Hunger Bag Program, a simple yet profound initiative that invites customers to participate in the battle against local food insecurity. The program encourages shoppers to purchase specially marked Fight Hunger reusable grocery bags, with a portion of each sale channeled directly to local food pantries like Yarmouth’s.

Once again, throughout the month of September, Hannaford will donate $1 from the sale of every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger bag purchased in the Yarmouth Hannaford to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry, a program of YCAN.  We appreciate that Hannaford has chosen the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry to receive funds from the Fight Hunger Program several months throughout the year.

The Fight Hunger Bag program leverages community engagement by making it easy for anyone to help. The act of buying a bag becomes a tangible contribution to a neighbor’s well-being. Hannaford’s thoughtful design of the program ensures that the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry receives consistent support—not just from corporate giving, but from the collective will of the community.

Promotional image for the Fight Hunger Bag Program featuring a basket of apples and a reusable orange grocery bag, highlighting that $1 is donated for each bag purchased.

The Lifeline of Direct Food Donations

The Fight Hunger Bag Program is just one of the many ways Hannaford supports YCAN and its programs. Hannaford’s regular donations of food to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry provides a critical lifeline for Yarmouth families each month. Each week, Hannaford’s team carefully selects quality groceries—produce, proteins/meats, deli, bakery, and staple goods—and donates them to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry. This amounts to several hundred pounds of groceries picked up and distributed by Yarmouth Community Food Pantry volunteers to those in need each month.

Two volunteers smiling while posing next to a cart with a box, parked car with boxes in the back, under a partly cloudy sky.

By forging a direct link between store shelves and the food pantry, Hannaford not only helps alleviate immediate hunger but also elevates the standard of food for those in need within the Yarmouth community.

It’s these regular weekly donations that distinguish Hannaford as more than just a donor; they are an important cornerstone of the pantry’s operations. Food Pantry volunteers pick up food from Hannaford weekly. Additionally, Yarmouth’s Rosemont Market also offers bread, prepared foods and produce to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry, along with the Yarmouth Community Garden and Growing to Give, a climate-friendly, volunteer-driven, nonprofit farming operation in Brunswick, Maine, that grows certified-organic vegetables for donation.

Two volunteers transporting boxes of food donations in a hallway, one pushing a cart and the other carrying a box.

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Project Holiday Gift Card Support

Project Holiday, another program of YCAN, purchases gift cards to offer families who qualify for help during the holidays.  Taking advantage of Hannaford’s bulk gift card discount program, both Project Holiday and the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry can include Hannaford gift cards in gift baskets and food baskets.

Volunteers have shared heartwarming stories of families who, thanks to Hannaford’s support, were able to cook favorite recipes, invite friends to their tables, and celebrate with pride. The ripple effect of this generosity extends beyond a single meal—it fosters community, uplifts spirits, and bridges the gap between hardship and hope.

A child in a red shirt sits on a bed, holding a gift with a red ribbon, surrounded by wrapped presents and festive holiday decorations.

Inclusion, Empathy, and Lasting Impact

What makes Hannaford such an exemplary partner is not just the scope of their contributions, but the philosophy underpinning them. Their engagement with YCAN’s programs is marked by inclusion: every program, every donation, every act is designed to bring people together and ensure that no one is left behind.

Conclusion: Why Hannaford Is a Great Community Partner

In an age when many corporations talk about social responsibility, Hannaford stands out for its action, compassion, and consistency. Their partnership with YCAN is a story of inclusion—of meeting people where they are, lifting them up, and building a stronger, more compassionate community together.

Through the Fight Hunger Bag Program, direct food donations, and Project Holiday gift cards, Hannaford shows that supporting YCAN is not just about charity; it’s about dignity, empowerment, and shared purpose. For Yarmouth, Hannaford is not just a supermarket—they are a neighbor, a supporter, and a friend. Their commitment is a beacon of hope, lighting the way for others to join in and make a difference.

Now don’t forget to get your Fight Hunger Shopping Bag anytime in September at the Yarmouth Hannaford!

Promotional graphic for Hannaford's Fight Hunger Bag Program, featuring an orange reusable bag against a backdrop of autumn foliage with the text 'FALL FORWARD GIVE BACK' and donation details.