PORTLAND — In June, the Maine Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger, which has raised more than $4.3 million since 1990, distributed $17,000 to 33 hunger organizations throughout the state.

According to a news release, two food pantries serving Sagadahoc County — the Bath Area Food Bank and the Richmond Food Pantry — were among the recipients.

Representatives from two food pantries in each of Maine’s eight southern-most counties received two types of bread: the kind used for toast, and the kind used to buy food, with a check for $500 from the league’s Campaign for Ending Hunger in a ceremony at the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Portland warehouse. A similar ceremony was held with representatives from food pantries in Maine’s eight northern-most counties at the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s distribution center in Brewer.

Luke Labbe, chairman of the Maine Credit Union League’s Social Responsibility Committee, said, “Maine’s credit unions are about ‘people helping people’ and sharing the bread is an extension of this philosophy. In these difficult economic times, it is important for Maine people to know that hunger does exist in our state, in every county and every community.”