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| Misty L. Coolidge of New Gloucester was crowned as International Mrs. USA 2026 in Orlando, Florida on Jan. 4. Her message is that one person can make a difference in addressing hunger in America. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
Growing up in a food insecure home, Misty has been on a mission to end hunger in Maine, nationally, and globally for the past 25 years. Being named the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s first Ambassador, she spends time volunteering at their food bank in Auburn and fundraising for them year around.
Two fundraising events include her FLOWERS THAT FEED Runway Show that she co-hosts annually at her wedding venue, Coolidge Family Farm, and her RUNNING OF THE BRIDES 5K FOR HUNGER. She also wrote her first children’s book called “We All Stir the Pot to End Hunger” (found on Amazon) where all royalties go to Feeding America.
In 2021, she created and challenged herself as an Ambassador for Feeding America to travel to all 50 states and volunteer in their food banks in each one. To date, she’s crossed 38 of those states off her list and hopes to complete that list this year as Mrs. USA, a challenge that she calls her #crushinghungertour.
Then in 2022, she set her sights globally through the Global Food Banking Network and has since been to 17 countries filling bellies and cupboards along the way. Throughout her travels, Coolidge has helped collect more than 244,000 pounds of food! In an economy where many families are struggling, that’s making an impact.
In 2024, in collaboration with Supermodels Unlimited Magazine and her “Women of the Year” title that year, SU donated $10,000 on her behalf to the Los Angeles Food Bank to benefit families who lost everything in the horrific fires that raged across their state. That computes to 30,000 meals for those in need.
As this year’s International Mrs. USA, her year includes traveling across the country and globally continuing her passion of fighting hunger and food insecurity, as well as supporting other non-profits through their galas, 5Ks, luncheons, and walkathons. She dreams of sharing her personal hunger story with audiences for national television shows like Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Hudson, and Kelly Clarkson and one day wants to open a soup kitchen.
Her unwavering dedication to serving her community has earned her Gold Presidential Service Awards for 500-plus hours per year in 2023 and 2024. She’s still working on adding up hours for 2025.
As an entrepreneur, she believes that giving back to the communities that have given her so much is a priority and making sure that no child goes without. She also hopes that her efforts inspire others, but mostly her children, proving that one person truly can make a difference. <
Then in 2022, she set her sights globally through the Global Food Banking Network and has since been to 17 countries filling bellies and cupboards along the way. Throughout her travels, Coolidge has helped collect more than 244,000 pounds of food! In an economy where many families are struggling, that’s making an impact.
In 2024, in collaboration with Supermodels Unlimited Magazine and her “Women of the Year” title that year, SU donated $10,000 on her behalf to the Los Angeles Food Bank to benefit families who lost everything in the horrific fires that raged across their state. That computes to 30,000 meals for those in need.
As this year’s International Mrs. USA, her year includes traveling across the country and globally continuing her passion of fighting hunger and food insecurity, as well as supporting other non-profits through their galas, 5Ks, luncheons, and walkathons. She dreams of sharing her personal hunger story with audiences for national television shows like Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Hudson, and Kelly Clarkson and one day wants to open a soup kitchen.
Her unwavering dedication to serving her community has earned her Gold Presidential Service Awards for 500-plus hours per year in 2023 and 2024. She’s still working on adding up hours for 2025.
As an entrepreneur, she believes that giving back to the communities that have given her so much is a priority and making sure that no child goes without. She also hopes that her efforts inspire others, but mostly her children, proving that one person truly can make a difference. <
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