Food insecurity is a growing national problem amid the pandemic. Pantries are stretched thin — and money is tight in many communities. Advocates from across the country are urging Congress to increase SNAP benefits. They all want the next pandemic relief bill to include a boost for the program – and they’re urging congress not … Read more
“Yes, thoughts and prayers are appreciated, but to truly honor our veterans, we need to move beyond platitudes. Our nation must commit to providing reliable safety net programs for the many veterans who struggle with poverty and hunger when they return home.” – Tim Keefe, advocate and veteran Read more…
New research was released today on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to better understand the effects the program has on Mainers. Two organizations, Maine Equal Justice Partners and Preble Street, partnered to survey families around the state. The report written by a University of Maine Professor found 62-percent of respondents said they would … Read more
The LePage administration likes to tout how it has reduced the number of people who receive social services in Maine. If fewer people get government help, the thinking goes, the problems that caused their need for help also have been magically eliminated. Data show this isn’t true. Take hunger. A new report from the U.S. Department … Read more
Nearly half of all kids in Maine qualify for free and reduced-price lunch at school. During the summer months, when school is out, there haven’t been a lot of options for those families – but that’s starting to change. In the past ten years, the number of summer meal sites in the state has more … Read more
… At Portland’s Preble Street Teen Center, the event typically has raised $11,000 to $19,000 for meals, said Elena Schmidt, chief development officer for Preble Street. The total budget for the teen center’s soup kitchen is about $97,000, she said … Read more.
A record-breaking 400 people enjoyed an afternoon and evening of fancy sips and bites at Taste of the Nation at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. The annual fundraiser for Share Our Strength, with tickets priced at $125 for general admission and $200 for VIP, including a cocktail reception, raised more than $200,000 toward the … Read more
WESTBROOK – While the school year may be winding down, efforts to prepare for this year’s Summer Food Program are ramping up, as Westbrook officials and volunteers work to keep food, nutrition and physical activity on students’ plates. The program, which is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides free lunch for children … Read more
Portland Ovations presents, in collaboration with SPACE Gallery, the poignant and provocative Who’s Hungry for 4 performances at SPACE Gallery on April 10th at 8 pm, April 11th at 8 pm and Saturday April 12th at 2 pm and 8 pm. Who’s Hungry is an evening of experimental tabletop puppet theater that gives a voice … Read more
It’s no secret that far too many children go hungry in Maine. Less widely known is that there are effective and affordable ways to reach our most at-risk students both during the school year, and when classes let out for vacation. Extending free or reduced-priced lunches during the summer months is one measure helping to … Read more
