MCHPP unveils new strategic plan to address rising need | Column

As Mainers navigate rising costs and shifting social policies, the struggle to afford basic necessities remains a daily reality for a growing number of our neighbors. Over the past fiscal year, Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program welcomed more than 100 new families each month to our Brunswick Food Pantry — a trend that shows no sign of subsiding. In today’s environment, MCHPP is no longer simply a “charity”; we are a vital piece of our region’s economic infrastructure. It was in this climate that MCHPP set out to develop a new strategic plan. We recognize that a strategic plan cannot be a rigid roadmap; instead, it must serve as a dynamic framework that allows us to be nimble and responsive to immediate community needs while remaining grounded in our organizational values and long-term goals. To guide our path forward, we crafted a clear, powerful vision: We envision a compassionate, connected community rooted in nourishment for all. To turn this vision into reality, we look to our updated mission: We strengthen our community by providing food today while advancing lasting solutions to food insecurity through education, collaboration and advocacy. Our strategic direction is anchored by five core organizational values that define our culture and guide our daily interactions: • Dignity: We honor the inherent worth of every person. • Collaboration: We believe lasting change happens together. Advertisement • Excellence: We hold ourselves to high standards in service of people and purpose. • Equity: We embrace creativity and learning in service of our mission. • Innovation: We actively address barriers and systemic disparities. These aren’t just words, they are a promise. We firmly believe that nourishment is the baseline for human dignity, and it is the foundation upon which every other success is built. MCHPP’s new strategic plan is our proactive commitment to ensuring that regardless of federal policy shifts or economic headwinds, our community remains rooted in nourishment, dignity and equity for all. _Hannah Chatalbash is executive director of Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program._ [](https://www.bowdoin.edu/?utm_source=TimesRecord&utm_medium=SupportingSponsorship) **The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor **We believe a community must be informed to thrive. [**bowdoin.edu**](https://www.bowdoin.edu/?utm_source=TimesRecord&utm_medium=SupportingSponsorship) Copy the Story Link Tagged: [food pantry](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/food-pantry/), [Mid coast Hunger Prevention Program](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/mid-coast-hunger-prevention-program/), [Times Record](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/times-record/), [Times Record Community](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/times-record-community/)