The Maine Monitor has published an article about volunteer shortages and funding cuts at impacting Maine’s food pantries.
Complicating matters is the infrastructure through which the United States distributes most food to those who need help. In Maine, the nearly 600 hunger relief agencies that get free and low-cost food from Good Shepherd Food Bank rely on volunteers. This includes 250 food pantries as well as soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters, schools and youth programs.
More than 75% of these organizations rely completely on volunteers, with no paid staff, according to Good Shepherd.
Are you available to volunteer? The State of Maine and Portland Public Schools have lists of local food pantries which you can use to a find a pantry to help.