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.
SNAP
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 inLocal & State, News
For many older Mainers, covering costs in retirement is a major challenge
Experts say there is a clear divide between people who can afford to live comfortably in retirement — and those whose tight budgets make it difficult to pay for basic needs like food and housing.
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 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 inLocal & State, News
SNAP cuts could impact Maine’s free lunch for students in the long term
School districts will continue to offer lunches at no cost, but changes in eligibility for food assistance could result in less federal funding in the future.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Maine warns of SNAP benefit thefts impacting hundreds of households
While this type of fraud has occurred in other states, ‘this is the first time we have seen it at this scale in Maine,’ a Department of Health and Human Services official said.
Posted inFood & Dining, Local & State, News, Recipes
Classes that teach Maine’s food insecure how to cook are under grave threat
Federal funding for the classes was eliminated by Congress. To keep these classes going, Mainers will need to ‘Put a little more grit into the game.’
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Mainers turn out to make ‘good trouble’ amid political turmoil
Demonstrations honoring late civil rights leader and former Congressman John Lewis take place across the state.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Trump’s tax, spending law will slash food assistance for thousands of Mainers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will force Maine to cover tens of millions in costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — costs that Gov. Janet Mills says the state ‘simply cannot absorb.’