Summary
Food pantries in Maine are facing a shortage of volunteers and preparing for budget cuts that affect their food supply. Many of these pantries heavily rely on volunteers, mostly older adults, to help distribute food to families in need. Recent federal cuts to food assistance programs are expected to increase demand for these services.
Key Facts
- Food pantries in Maine are experiencing a decrease in volunteer numbers.
- Volunteers are mainly retirees, some in their 80s.
- The federal government has reduced funding from key food assistance programs.
- These cuts include over $1 billion from two USDA programs supporting food banks.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is also facing cuts, potentially increasing pantry demand.
- Maine relies on nearly 600 hunger relief agencies receiving low-cost food from Good Shepherd Food Bank.
- Over 75% of these agencies operate entirely with volunteer help, no paid staff.
- About one in seven people in Waldo County, Maine were food insecure in 2023.
