UNE, Maine Masons partner to deliver 50,000 meal kits to those in need statewide

The fourth iteration of the University of New England’s Meals for Maine initiative took on a whole new meaning Wednesday evening as the Masons of Maine proudly welcomed the UNE community into their home in downtown Portland — and turned up the music. In their stately, century-old Masonic temple, the two communities became one as more than 150 volunteers packaged meal kits to help address hunger across Maine.

UNE’s Service-Learning program that started the Meals for Maine events in 2023 partnered with the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation for the second time in a year to help get healthy rice-and-beans packaged meals to those who are hungry in all 16 counties of Maine. The Masonic foundation funded the 50,000 meal kits and, for the first time, the Service Learning team took the Meals for Maine effort off campus to join their community partner in assembling meal kits in the Mason’s grand hall in the heart of Maine’s largest city and in one of its communities facing the greatest need. 

Volunteer registration for the event filled up quickly and, in the end, walk-ins pushed the number to 155, with a team from the New England Cancer Specialists, community members, and a large equal split between UNE volunteers and Masons, who will distribute the meals to rural areas across Maine through their 170 lodges, giving UNE’s Meals for Maine program a statewide reach.

Since starting in 2023, UNE’s large-scale, meal-packaging effort had produced 300,000 meals for individuals and families throughout the state; Wednesday’s event brought that number to 350,000. The Masonic foundation joined the effort last fall to help the program reach all 16 counties in Maine for the first time.

UNE Service Learning Director Trisha Mason said in her opening remarks that the Meals for Maine partnership with the Masons typifies UNE’s experiential-learning approach to education by providing firsthand experiences in civic engagement, collaboration, and service through action that will directly impact Mainers in need.

“We are here tonight because hunger in Maine is changing in a way that deserves our attention. And each of you tonight, in support with the Masons, is here to address it,” Trisha Mason told those gathered, noting that food insecurity in Maine shows that one in seven of Mainers — about 13.8% of the population — struggles to afford enough food. 

“That statistic is even more concerning when we think about the impact on children: One in five Maine children do not know where their next meal is coming from,” Mason said. “I'm incredibly grateful to the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation … for making tonight possible.”

The message from the Meals for Maine founder resonated with Jeremiah King, a Mason in one of Portland’s three Masonic lodges, Corner Stone Lodge 216, who said the initiative encapsulates what the Freemason organization stands for as one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political organizations that works to help those in need.

“The Freemasons are not about words. They're about trying to improve ourselves and improve our community,” King said.

As the three-hour event played out, Masons from Maine lodges worked alongside UNE students representing all nine health professions fields on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences. 

Steph Bange (M.S.O.T.,’27) volunteered at the Meals for Maine event last fall and returned because she said she enjoyed helping those in need and engaging with community members. 

“I came back because it's a really fun time, and I like how the program can help the whole entire state,” Bange said. “To work here is a really cool experience. I think the Masons have great attitudes. They seem to be excited to be doing this with UNE.”

Read press coverage by the Portland Press Herald and WGME CBS 13.