Ruth Summers Takes on Presidency of the JLP as We Begin Our New Signature Project with Good Shepherd Food Bank

Ruth joined the Junior League of Portland, Maine six years ago and has served on a number of committees. Ruth is also the Executive Director of The Education Foundation working with over 80 schools throughout the country to assist them in generating scholarship funds and awarding scholarships to their students. Ruth is also a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, an avid gardener and enjoys running in road races. Ruth is married to Charlie and has three children, stepdaughter Tricia, 25, stepson Chas, 22, and her newest edition, Thomas, 10 months.

 A Message from Ruth:

 I am so honored to have the privilege to serve as your Junior League President for the next 12 months and I am looking forward to a successful year. I am looking forward to this upcoming year for a number of reasons. I had the pleasure of working with a stellar group of women to build our three year Strategic Plan that began June, 1, 2010. This plan will guide us through three years of growth both within our membership and within the community. The plan has a vision – a vision I share. A road map if you will for things I believe we can accomplish this year regarding public relations, community partnerships and member satisfaction.

In conjunction with our new Strategic Plan, we are also launching our newest Signature Project. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Good Shepherd Food-Bank as our 2010-2013 Signature Project partner. The Junior League will work with the Food-Bank over the next three years to decrease hunger and food insecurity in Cumberland County by increasing organizations’ access to food and individuals’ ability to better utilize healthy food. During the three year partnership, the Junior League will work toward three primary objectives:

 1) Provide volunteer assistance to the Food-Bank at its Portland and Auburn locations

2) Work with the Food-Bank’s agencies in Cumberland County to help them to better meet the needs of their clients, utilize all available food, and operate as efficiently as possible

3) Work directly with food pantry clients to increase their ability to make simple, healthy, low-cost meals using the items commonly found at a food pantry.

The Junior League is an extraordinary group of women. We are moms, sisters, aunts, daughters, wives and best friends. We have studied Irish history, art history and political science. We own businesses, we have served in the Peace Corps and the military, we are stay-at-home moms, we work in medicine, finance, and various types of non-profits. Ladies, we are the Junior League of Portland, Maine. Every day we have made and will make a difference in the lives of those we touch. What a remarkable adventure and journey we are on – with an outstanding group of women.

 To learn more about the Good Shephard Food Bank, please see their web site at www.GSFB.org.