All across Maine, people are scrambling to help those who may be facing increased food insecurity as a result of the federal government shutdown.

Typically, Maine’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are distributed near the middle of the month. The program relies on federal funding.

According to state officials, nearly 170,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Maine.

In response to the looming crisis, state officials, community leaders, social service workers and volunteers are now scrambling to fill a potentially big hole if the government shutdown continues past Nov. 15.

“The concern is that local resources are already strained,” said Vassie Fowler, executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center in Biddeford.

“Our government is dropping the ball,” Fowler said. “So, now we all have to ask ourselves what we can do that will be impactful.”

Fowler announced this week that her organization will be trying to fill the gap by hosting free community dinners on Saturday and Sunday nights over the next few weeks, beginning Nov. 8.

The sit-down dinners will be available to anyone who needs a meal.

“I would love to have it be a neighborhood event,” Fowler said. “It’s what this agency was built upon. We want everyone to feel welcome. No one should have to eat alone.”

Currently, Seeds of Hope offers an average of 35 dinners to those who visit or sleep at the warming center. Fowler said she expects that number to spike in mid-November.

“We cannot ignore this,” Fowler said. “We have to do something.”

Gov. Janet Mills announced Wednesday that $1.25 million will be provided to help fund Maine food pantries and anti-hunger programs.

Those funds consist of $1 million from the governor’s contingency account and $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation, according to WMTW-TV.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank will receive $650,000 to support food pantries and anti-hunger initiatives throughout Maine.

Community rallies in support of the less fortunate

In the Biddeford-Saco area, scores of people are stepping forward to make sure that no one will go hungry.

Earlier this week, local school students launched their Spare Change Fills Plates campaign to raise money for local food pantries.

Others have flooded community social media sites to organize and motivate people to volunteer and donate to food pantries.

Isn’t this what we
are supposed to do?

— Vassie Fowler

In fact, the Gazette learned Thursday that several Biddeford political candidates are working to organize a food drive on Election Day, asking voters to consider donating a non-perishable food item when they go to vote at Biddeford High School.

The Biddeford Food Pantry is also hoping that they will see an uptick in both donations and volunteers. The Biddeford Food Pantry serves residents in Biddeford and several neighboring towns.

During a previous interview with this reporter, Don Bisson, the pantry’s executive director, said his pantry served 2,558 adults; 1,295 children and 1,228 families in just one month.

Looking ahead

When the Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) says he plans to submit legislation to “ensure that Maine’s nutrition incentive programs, like Harvest Bucks and SNAP, are not solely dependent upon federal match funding.”

“Among the worst impacts of the federal government shutdown is the impending loss of SNAP benefits for the entire month of November,” Ingwersen said.

“When Washington is consumed by its own dysfunction and gridlock, we have to look out for our neighbors and ensure that Mainers can continue to feed Mainers,” he said.

“This bill would take a step toward protecting Mainers from going hungry when politicians play games,” Ingwersen said.

Ingwersen also drafted a bill (LD 468) to provide an additional $1.2 million per year to the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutritional Incentives.

As part of the budget negotiation process, $600,000 of on-going funding was included in the state’s two-year budget.

Ingwersen pointed out that nearly 1,300 Biddeford households will be impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits.

Strong community support is evident

Vassie Fowler says she has been “blown away” by the support her non-profit organization has been receiving since announcing the free weekend dinners.

“I expected it to be positive, but I never imagined the reaction to our plan would be this positive,” she said.

Although Seeds of Hope is already spread thin in both funding and volunteers, Fowler says she has confidence in her volunteers and supporters.

“Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith,” Fowler said. “Isn’t this what we’re supposed to do?

“When I see someone in need, there is no other choice for me.”

———-

Disclosure: Vassie Fowler serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s volunteer advisory board.

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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