Three Bethel area initiatives are underway to aid families worried about losing federal food assistance benefits and others who are no longer eligible.
food insecurity
Lisbon woman repurposes Little Library box into Little Snack Pantry box in Graziano Square
With federal workers not getting paid and the fate of SNAP benefits for recipients unclear, one woman came up with a way to help address the increased number of food-insecure people in her community.
Taylor Swift otter T-shirt auction will help fight hunger in Midcoast Maine
United Midcoast Charities will auction an early copy of the sea otter T-shirt Taylor Swift wore in the “Showgirl” film that is being reissued by a Maine company.
Judges rule Trump administration can’t suspend SNAP during shutdown
In a lawsuit that Maine joined, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said the government must pay out at least partial benefits to the millions of Americans — including 170,000 Mainers — who rely on food stamps.
Here’s where SNAP is distributed in Maine
Nearly 170,000 people across the state receive the monthly food assistance benefits.
Northern Franklin County prepares to feed those facing a potential loss of SNAP benefits
From a newly built food pantry at Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township to food drives, individuals and organizations are responding to help their neighbors.
Rumford schools, business team up for food drive as SNAP disappears
The outreach effort with Aubuchon Hardware of Rumford aims to fill school nutrition vans with food to help those affected by the loss of federal food assistance.
Old School Food Pantry in Mexico preparing for influx after SNAP suspension
A large increase in food pantry usage is anticipated after the program once known as food stamps goes unfunded Nov. 1.
Pay It Forward Board in Dixfield to help those in need with free meals
A community food and household supply drive is also taking place.
How Mainers are stepping up to help neighbors, food pantries ahead of SNAP funding lapse
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.