Maine pantries face volunteer shortage, funding cuts
Local food pantries across Maine — exemplified by Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport — report rising demand and shrinking supplies as volunteers age and federal support is pared back. The reporting (Sept. 28, 2025) details how the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent policy moves (including a Sept. 20 decision to stop publishing its food‑insecurity survey and earlier cuts to USDA emergency food programs) and projected SNAP reductions are straining a network of nearly 600 hunger‑relief agencies in the state that rely heavily on retirees to operate.
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Maine's food pantries stare down volunteer shortage while anticipating cuts
New information:
- Maine has nearly 600 hunger‑relief agencies (about 250 food pantries) that receive food from Good Shepherd Food Bank; more than 75% of those organizations rely entirely on volunteers.
- Local example: Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport serves 25–30 families weekly and is run by long‑time volunteers (including a 78‑year‑old director and an 89‑year‑old worker).
- Federal context: USDA announced on Sept. 20 it will stop collecting/releasing food‑insecurity statistics; the administration cut >$1 billion from USDA emergency food programs in March and advocates warn proposed SNAP changes (cited as $186 billion in some projections) will increase pantry demand.