MCHPP unveils new strategic plan to address rising need | Column
Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Unveils New Strategic Plan as Food Pantry Visits Surge in Brunswick
BRUNSWICK — The Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program has launched an ambitious new strategic plan aimed at addressing what its leadership describes as an unprecedented surge in demand for food assistance across the region.
Over the past fiscal year, the organization has seen more than 100 new families walk through the doors of its Brunswick Food Pantry each month—a trend that shows no signs of slowing.
"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," said Hannah Chatalbash, executive director of MCHPP.
The new strategic plan centers on a refreshed organizational vision: "We envision a compassionate, connected community rooted in nourishment for all."
To achieve that vision, MCHPP has articulated a updated mission: "We strengthen our community by providing food today while advancing lasting solutions to food insecurity through education, collaboration and advocacy."
Five core values anchor the plan—dignity, collaboration, excellence, equity, and innovation. Chatalbash emphasized that these principles are more than aspirational language.
"These aren't just words, they are a promise," she said. "We firmly believe that nourishment is the baseline for human dignity, and it is the foundation upon which every other success is built."
The strategic direction comes as many Maine families continue to grapple with rising costs and economic uncertainty. Chatalbash noted that MCHPP has evolved beyond its traditional role as a charitable organization.
"In today's environment, MCHPP is no longer simply a 'charity'; we are a vital piece of our region's economic infrastructure," she said.
The plan's developers say it is designed to ensure the community remains protected from federal policy shifts or economic headwinds. By combining immediate food distribution with long-term solutions through education and advocacy, the organization hopes to build lasting resilience in the mid-coast region.
