Lewiston nonprofit Kaydenz Kitchen is in danger of losing its principal source of funding for its food pantry operation if it cannot relocate or reopen by the end of November, the organization said Monday.

The organization, which is also developing a 24-hour shelter in the city, suffered a fire at its Lincoln Street building last month and leaders said they expect renovation work to take at least another month.

A social media post Monday by the organization said it has been given a Dec. 1 deadline by the Good Shepherd Food Bank to relocate its food pantry or its account will be terminated and roughly $7,000 will be reassigned to another pantry in the community.

“This would be a heartbreaking loss for the community and organization, especially as we head into the coldest, most difficult time of the year, with so many unknowns about food security for the people who rely on us,” the post said.

The Oct. 7 fire forced city officials to condemn the Lincoln Street building, and Kaydenz Kitchen leaders said the food pantry and supplies were a complete loss. The organization asked the public for help in donating shelving units and restocking food in an effort to reopen in time.

“Repairs are underway, but the timeline is expected to take another 1-2 months — longer than we can wait,” the post said.

Kevin Boilard, founder of Kaydenz Kitchen, did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Good Shepherd Food Bank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization. Asked to comment on the situation Tuesday, Heather Reynolds, director of marketing and communications, said Good Shepherd is not able to comment on “the compliance of any of our partners.”

However, Reynolds said the organization works with a network of nearly 600 food pantries and other organizations across the state, and that all of its partners “must meet certain criteria that helps ensure the greatest impact for people seeking food.”

“With hunger in Maine at the highest rate in a decade, we remain focused on working with our partners to ensure nutritious food is available to anyone who needs it,” she said.

The dilemma has also come after a stretch of time when food pantries across Maine have seen unprecedented demand due to the extended government shutdown.

Heather Paquette, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank, told the Portland Press Herald this week that food pantries saw large numbers of new enrollees in October, calling the last month “a crisis.”