Catholic Charities Maine Announces Jon Blanchard as New Program Director of Hunger and Relief Services

Catholic Charities Maine is pleased to announce that Jon Blanchard has assumed the role as the new Program Director of Hunger and Relief Services. Blanchard has been a dedicated member of the Catholic Charities Maine team since September 2022, previously serving as the Assistant Director of the program.

In his new role, Blanchard oversees critical programs including Catholic Charities two Food Banks in Caribou and Monticello, Farm for ME, and three Threads of Hope thrift stores.

Proceeds from Threads of Hope stores in Aroostook County, located in Caribou, Monticello, and Presque Isle, directly support Hunger & Relief Services, which supplies 40 food pantries and agencies across Aroostook, Washington, and northern Penobscot Counties. With every purchase made, shoppers contribute to feeding local families.

Prior to joining Catholic Charities Maine, he served as the Director of Residential Life at Northern Maine Community College. Blanchard dedicated a decade to St. Joseph’s College, where he held various leadership roles including Interim Dean of Campus Life, Associate Dean of Campus Life, and Director of Residential Life. He also spent three years teaching accounting and finance at the Presque Isle Tech Center.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a certificate in Asian studies from St. Anselm College and an MBA with a concentration in institutional leadership from Husson University. His commitment to community engagement and supporting the greater good is evident through his role as Board Treasurer for St. Apollonia Dental Clinic, a nonprofit dental clinic.

Originally from Presque Isle, Blanchard is a family man with eight children and is expecting his ninth child soon. He takes pride in his roots and is passionate about contributing to the community that shaped him.

He succeeds Dixie Shaw, who previously held the role of Program Director for 30 years. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Dixie for her years of dedicated service and passion for feeding our neighbors and are extremely thankful to have her continue to make an impact through community outreach for the Hunger & Relief Services program,” notes Blanchard.

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