Volunteer Bob Sirois helps First County Food Pantry coordinator Rob Boyd unload boxes of surplus food from Hannaford Supermarket in Sanford.
Photo: Lee Burnett
By Lee Burnett
More people in the Sanford area are turning to food pantries as the federal government shutdown, now in its sixth week, tightens availability of federal assistance for basic necessities.
“We had a steady stream of people yesterday,” said Rob Boyd, First County Food Pantry coordinator for York County government, the primary distributor of food aid to county residents. “We’ve seen a lot of new faces.” He predicted a worsening situation if the shutdown continues. “Our numbers will continue to go up … There’s no doubt in my mind.”
SORTING APPLES First County Food Pantry volunteer Bob Sirois and pantry manager Rob Boyd sort apples on a recent day. The pantry has seen an uptick in folks visiting the pantry, given recent uncertainties associated with SNAP benefits and federal employees working but not receiving paychecks and welcomes donations of nonperishable food or cash to buy it. The pantry is also gearing up for the big Thanksgiving distribution that take place later this month.
Photo: Tammy Wells
The shelves were mostly empty by Wednesday morning, although a new shipment of surplus vegetables and other perishables had just arrived from Hannaford Supermarket in Sanford. The pantry feeds about 3,000 people from the 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of food donated monthly.
The chairman of the local foundation supporting the pantry said he was moved by what he saw on a recent visit to the pantry.
“Meeting a nicely dressed middle-aged man walking into a food pantry for the first time in his life and trying to keep his head held high as he asked how it worked and what he was permitted, was as poignant and moving as anything I’ve ever experienced,” said Billy Shore of First County Foundation.
First County has pledged to feed all comers, regardless of application status or residence.
“We will get through this together,” said Rachel Stansfield, chief advancement officer for First County.
In response to the surge in requests, the volume of donated food has also increased “quite a bit,” according to Boyd. Regular donors include Hannaford, Walmart, Congdon’s Donuts, and Panera. Canned goods and other non-perishables come from Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn and donations. Monetary contributions are also welcome, not only for Thanksgiving distribution but to replenish shelves throughout the season.
York County government is encouraging food drives across the county. County government employees started their own internal food drive and are collecting canned fruits, vegetables, soups, stews, tuna, chicken, and beans, along with dried pasta and cereals, baby and infant foods, and more. Andy’s Agway in Dayton also answered the call.
The quickening pace of food distribution comes as the Trump administration squeezes the outflow of SNAP benefits, the federal government’s food assistance program, in its ongoing showdown with Democrats in Congress. A federal district court judge in Rhode Island last week ordered payment of November benefits from reserve funds set up by Congress for emergencies. But the Trump administration says it would fund only 50 percent of SNAP and payments would be delayed.
Unease is spreading among families dependent on the federal government for food, heat or employment, according to Carter Friend, executive director of York County Community Action, the county’s primary anti-poverty agency.
“Some people are already not getting paychecks,” he said. “More and more families are anxious about making ends meet.”
Locally, the largest group of federal employees working without paychecks are the 6,700 employees at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, some 550 of whom live in Sanford. Several banks and credit unions have offered no-interest loans to tide folks over.
Those wishing to make a financial contribution may drop it off at the pantry or at the York County government office building at 149 Jordan Springs Road on Route 4 in Alfred, or mail a check made out to First County Foundation, with food pantry entered into the subject line, to 45 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, ME 04002. More information about First County Foundation, a registered 501C3 nonprofit, is at: yorkcountyfcf.org.
Nonperishable food contributions may be dropped off at the pantry weekdays 8:30 am to 3 pm. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, First County Food Pantry is especially looking for pie filling and pudding, canned or packet gravy, canned cranberry sauce, mashed potato flakes, stuffing, and cake, brownie and cookie mixes.
About 600 families received a basket of food during Thanksgiving distribution in 2024, Boyd said, and he expects that number to climb this season. The baskets include all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, turkey included.
The drive-thru Thanksgiving distribution is set for Nov. 24, 25 and 26 at 149 Jordan Springs Road in Alfred from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Tammy Wells contributed to this report
The post Food Pantries Strive to Keep Up with Rising Demand appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
