BATH — Gavin Hanna, 17, is spending his summer donating his time and money earned to help the hungry.
The Morse High School senior is collecting bottles and cans to raise money for the Bath Area Food Bank. He has raised over $500 so far and has a goal of raising $1,500 by the end of the summer.
“I just wanted to do something bigger for the food bank this year,” said Hanna. ”The past two years, I’ve volunteered for them, which was good, it made me feel good, but I wanted to do something more because the population has been increasing recently.”
The food bank has been in operation for 37 years and moved to its new address at 807 Middle St. in Bath just over a year ago. Since the move, the number of families served increased.
According to Kimberly Gates, the food bank’s executive director, at the food bank’s previous address, the soup kitchen served between 80-100 people a day. On average, it served 200 families, totaling 600 individuals, per month. Since the food bank relocated, it now serves about 250 families, or 900 individuals, each month.
Hanna credits his mother for introducing him to the food bank, as she volunteered there before him.
“I’ve found it to be the most rewarding because I get direct contact with the people who need the food,” said Hanna. “I get to connect with the people I serve.”
The idea of people struggling with food insecurity hits home for Hanna.
“I have family in Missouri who are food insecure,” said Hanna. “I wanted to give back to my community because I’ve always felt like I have been supported here.”
Gates said she has witnessed Hanna’s selflessness firsthand and is, “honored he chose us.”
“I’m able to feed a lot more people because of Gavin,” said Gates. “He’s a good kid, and so humble.”
To anyone considering volunteering in any way, Hanna said, “It’s as rewarding as the paycheck you get from a normal job. Once you get into it and connect with the people you’re serving, you get attached to it and you learn a lot.”
Gates advertised his phone number and email address so people can contact him when they have bottles and cans to donate. He then goes to individuals’ homes or businesses to collect their bottles and cans.
Gavin Hanna can be reached at (207) 837-1898 and at hanna.gavin@yahoo.com.
The Bath Area Food Bank serves residents of Bath, West Bath, Woolwich, Arrowsic, Georgetown and Phippsburg.
The Bath Area Food Bank is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A hot meal is served from noon to 1 p.m., then the food pantry is open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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