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How Your Support is Fighting Hunger This Winter

Winter in Maine is a challenging time for many neighbors experiencing hunger. The increased cost of life’s necessities – like heating and groceries – adds strain to already tight budgets. Across the state, nearly 180,000 Mainers, including children, families, and older adults, are navigating food insecurity. Thanks to your generosity, fewer Mainers are facing these difficult choices alone.

Raymond - Feeding America story - Man in front of door with puffy brown jacket on and purple gloves with a black winter hat.
A woman and child smiling with a bag of food.

Winter Brings Increased Hunger

As temperatures drop, household expenses often rise. Heating bills soar, grocery costs remain high, and reduced SNAP benefits have left many people food insecure – some for the first time in their lives. Hunger in Maine has jumped 24% in just one year, with rural areas like Washington County experiencing the highest rates in the state.

Good Shepherd Food Bank and the charitable food network of 600 hunger-relief organizations are working tirelessly to meet this growing need. From distributing fresh, seasonal produce from over 95 local farms to providing meals through school and healthcare partnerships, we’re making sure neighbors have consistent access to the food they need to thrive – when and where they need it.

Reaching Rural Communities

Rural areas face some of the greatest barriers to food access. With limited grocery stores, transportation challenges, and scarce job opportunities, families in these communities often find it difficult to access enough affordable, healthy food. Food Bank partners in rural counties, such as those in Washington County, help provide consistent access to nourishing food for Maine neighbors facing these challenges.

For families in rural areas, this reliable access makes all the difference during difficult months. Whether it’s fresh produce, pantry staples, or culturally relevant meals, local food pantries are vital in ensuring everyone can access the food they need to live full and healthy lives.

Three young woman leaning up again selves of canned goods.

Your Generosity at Work

Thanks to your support, we’ve already made significant impact this winter:

  • Nearly 9 million meals distributed through the network of statewide hunger-relief organizations so far this winter.
  • Over 500,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were accessed over the last three months, thanks to Mainers Feeding Mainers, our local food purchasing program.
  • Expanding access through 138 schools and 154 healthcare sites, which help neighbors access the food they need to thrive in the places that work for them.

Behind these numbers are the people whose lives have been improved by your support. Together, we’re not just meeting urgent needs – we’re creating lasting solutions.

Get Involved This Winter

The need for food assistance doesn’t end after the holidays – it’s a year-round challenge, especially in the colder months. Here’s how you can continue to make a difference:

Every $1 you give helps provide two meals for neighbors experiencing hunger.

Help organize and distribute food to the people in your community who need it most.

Share our mission with your community to raise awareness about hunger in Maine.

Together, We’re Building a Stronger Maine

Your generosity fuels programs and partnerships that ensure neighbors across Maine have access to the food they need to live full and healthy lives. From rural towns to urban centers, your support helps break down barriers to food security and build a future where everyone in Maine has access to nourishing, culturally relevant food—no matter where they live.