Food Banks Gearing Up

Because so many Granges support food banks, this should be of interest!

With the holidays upon us, many food pantries across the state are gearing up to meet the demand of families that need food assistance. Those needs have become more pronounced the past few years as many families continue to grapple with higher food costs that began a dramatic upward climb in 2021.

According to data from the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, the nonprofit and its 600 food assistance partners delivered 39 million meals to Mainers in hunger last year. That’s the highest number in the organization’s history and well ahead of their goal of 33 million meals by 2025 that was established in their 2015 Strategic Plan. It shows demand is not slowing down anytime soon.

And unfortunately, supply has not kept pace. Food banks across the country are also reporting shortages as higher grocery costs contributing to that demand may also mean less donations from families that may have donated in the past but are now struggling themselves. Additionally, inflation also limits the impact cash donations have in covering food that is more expensive to buy.

Maine’s institutions of higher education are also providing resources for students facing food insecurity. A joint study published by the University of Maine and Husson University in 2021 estimated that 42% of college students were worried about having enough money for food. The study, Food Insecurity in Maine Higher Education, also found that 35% of students surveyed across 24 campuses in Maine ended up skipping meals and 13% went without eating for one or two days.

In April of last year, Husson began a food and hygiene pantry to serve such students in need. In doing so, Husson joined other campuses like Southern Maine Community College and the University of Maine’s flagship and Farmington campuses, all of which have had food pantries for years.

As we approach the holidays, Maine’s food banks will be grateful for any donations to help those most in need. To assist a food pantry near you, the state’s Department of Agriculture’s Resource Development Division has a map that lists all of the state’s food assistance programs under the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program. Good Shepherd also provides a list of its 600 food assistance partners here.