Maine food pantries face volunteer shortage, looming cuts
Maine food pantries are confronting shrinking supplies and an aging volunteer workforce as federal food assistance is pared back. Directors say nearly 600 hunger‑relief agencies statewide — including about 250 food pantries that supply weekly groceries — rely heavily on retirees and volunteers, even as the Trump administration cut over $1 billion from two USDA food programs in March and the USDA recently moved to end the annual food‑insecurity survey; advocates warn SNAP reductions would further strain the charitable network and raise demand.
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Maine's food pantries stare down volunteer shortage while anticipating cuts
New information:
- Nearly 600 hunger‑relief agencies in Maine receive food from Good Shepherd Food Bank; roughly 250 are food pantries.
- More than 75% of these organizations rely completely on volunteers, many retirees into their 70s and 80s.
- Federal actions cited include a March cut of more than $1 billion from two USDA programs and the USDA's Sept. 20 decision to stop the annual food‑insecurity survey; advocates also flag potential $186 billion SNAP reductions.