Local organizations are trying to bridge the gap for the nearly 170,000 Maine residents who won’t get food stamps in November — and they’re already seeing a swell in much-needed donations and volunteers.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
170,000 Mainers won’t get November SNAP benefits. Blame the shutdown.
About 12.5% of Maine’s residents use the assistance program previously known as food stamps, which is already facing historic cuts included in the Republican budget bill passed over the summer.
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Posted inFood & Dining, Local & State, News
Maine food pantries weathering funding cuts with help from retailers
Food donations from supermarkets, local food businesses and wholesalers make up about half the food that’s distributed at most Maine food pantries.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s food pantries are stretched thin. Here’s how to help them.
Programs across the state are already serving more people than ever, and the need is expected to grow further as food assistance benefit cuts take effect.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Thousands of Mainers face loss of SNAP benefits as program undergoes historic cuts
The changes will put more pressure on food pantries, which are already seeing a rise in need and warning that they won’t be able to fill the gap.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s food pantries stare down volunteer shortage while anticipating cuts
At Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport, funding cuts aren’t the biggest challenge. It’s keeping volunteers, especially as they get older.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Winslow food cupboard manager abruptly quits
Bruce Bottiglierie, Winslow Community Cupboard co-founder and operations manager, abruptly resigned Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences about the organization’s future.
Posted inLocal & State, Morning Sentinel, News
What to do at Winslow’s 54th annual blueberry festival
The Winslow Congregational Church’s free festival, which raises money for the church’s humanitarian efforts, is set for Aug. 8-9, with live music, arts and crafts, a lawn sale and plenty of blueberry baked goods.
Posted inLocal & State, Morning Sentinel, News
Winslow food cupboard buys larger building, raising funds for freezer, cooler
The Winslow Community Cupboard, which serves 36 towns, bought a 7-bay garage at 26 Lithgow St. and is trying to raise $150,000 to build a large freezer and cooler to hold pallets of food, to meet growing need for food across central Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
USDA cuts programs that supply local food to schools, food banks
The federal agency canceled contracts to continue providing food and funding to Maine schools and nonprofits for 3 more years. The change comes as one in eight Mainers — about 180,000 people — faces hunger. That includes roughly 45,000 children, about 20% of the state’s total population under 18.