To help Downeast communities during the pause to SNAP benefits, the Mission will offer “Soup’s On!,” a daily lunch of soup and bread. Beginning November 4 and running through December 19, a meal will be served every Tuesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Mission’s food pantry located at 6 Weald Bethel Lane in Cherryfield.
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Mission president John Zavodny said, “We are closely following the news about the disruption of SNAP benefits and what it means for the communities we serve. Having a hot lunch with friends and neighbors is a way the Mission can build community and take the edge off acute hunger for a while.” Zavodny continued, “More importantly though, the Mission is committed to making sure that there is food on our food pantry shelves as the food security and economic challenges continue to mount.”
On November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will pause in the United States. 170,000 Mainers will be impacted, including 21% of Washington County’s population. SNAP helps families put food on the table, and the Mission knows that this is a devastating blow for Downeast neighbors who rely on it and other benefits to meet their basic needs.
Downeast Director Jenny Jones shares, “Providing one meal a day will make a difference for our community members. Pantry patrons are choosing between necessities, bills, and food. We know from intake data that about 40% of our patrons depend on SNAP. Even with the benefit, many barely make ends meet.”
The pantry has seen an increase in new patrons each month, with 547 new households signing up in the last year. The pantry is also seeing existing neighbors visiting more often. Recent cuts to TEFAP programs has led more people to the Mission’s food pantry, which has fewer resources to support the increased patronage. SNAP is expected to worsen the situation.
If you would like to donate to the pantry, you can make monetary donations through our website or donate in-person at 6 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield.
To learn more about the Mission’s services, please visit our Food Security program web page.