Oct 29, 2025
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—As many organizations and individuals in the Mount Desert Island Region are trying to do whatever they can to help while food aid to low-income neighbors has been halted, the state itself is part of a multi-state lawsuit meant to get the Trump administration to use emergency funds so that low-income Americans can receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The funding is expected to stop on November 1.
“I applaud Attorney General Aaron Frey for joining this lawsuit. The USDA has contingency funding authorized by Congress for SNAP in cases of emergency but wrongly and callously claims it cannot spend it,” said Governor Mills, Tuesday. “The USDA can and should distribute contingency funds to avoid the disastrous harm that stopping SNAP benefits would create for Maine families, children, and seniors.”
Those involved in the lawsuit, which was filed October 28 in U.S. District Court (Massachusetts), believe that legally SNAP must be funded despite a government shutdown because it is not considered discretionary spending. To fund it, they suggest using a $6 billion contingency fund and a second $23 billion fund, which had been used earlier this October to help support the Women, Infants and Children food aid program.
On October 29, Governor Mills said the state and Maine philanthropists will give $1.25 million to Good Shepherd Food Bank and other anti-hunger programs in Maine because of the shutdown.
According to a press release, “This $1.25 million consists of $1 million from the Governor’s contingency account, plus $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation. Using existing state relationships with Good Shepherd Food Bank and the state’s network of Area Agencies on Aging, these funds will be distributed to support the state’s network of food pantries and other anti-hunger programs and organizations across the state.”
“When the federal government fails, Maine will not. When challenges arise, Maine people step up. In partnership with the John T. Gorman Foundation, we are taking action to deliver $1.25 million to strengthen Maine’s food pantries, Meals on Wheels, and other programs that help support the food needs of Maine families, children, seniors and people with disabilities,” Governor Mills said.“My administration is continuing to evaluate all options and push for solutions in Washington. One of the things I love about Maine is that we take care of each other, which is more important now than ever. I encourage Maine people to donate to your local food bank, check on your neighbors, and support your community in the face of significant hardship caused by this needless federal shutdown.”
FOOD INSECURITY IN MAINE, HANCOCK COUNTY, AND THE MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION
Approximately 174,145 people in Maine receive the monthly assistance. That number includes approximately 59,200 children and 40,200 older adults. Approximately one-third of those receiving SNAP funds have a disability.
Many food pantries which provide support to people who are food insecure have had to deal with cuts to USDA programs that have historically provided more support.
Food insecurity is nothing new in the Mount Desert Island region.
“In 2024, Bar Harbor Food Pantry (BHFP) saw nearly 12,000 visits, tripling the number of households served compared [to] the past two years [sic]. As food insecurity continues to rise in Mount Desert Island and surrounding areas, BHFP is working hard to meet the need,” the Bar Harbor Food Pantry representatives said earlier this year.
“We have gone from seeing 20-35 people a day in 2022 to 48-101 people per day in 2024. The long and short of it, our home of 25 years is too small,” former BHFP director Tom Reeve explained in November 2024.
That was when benefits were still fully enacted. The expectation is that if those SNAP benefits stop, the need will be even greater.
The Hancock County 2025 Food Insecurity fact sheet released by the state says that there are 7,360 food insecure people in the county and 1,820 of those are children. That 13.1% rate for all individuals is slightly less than Maine’s 13.8% rate.
In a letter to the Bangor Daily News in May, Good Shepard Food Bank President Heather Paquette said, “From July 2022 to June 2023, Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed 40 million pounds of food to community food pantries across the state. By May 15, 2024, we had already reached that same number, and we are on track to surpass it again this year. However, the need continues to grow.”
Recent proposed cuts and non-renewal of programs set to expire in 2026 for multiple federal nutrition programs and food assistance programs are expected to negatively impact pantries, local farmers, as well as individuals and families who are food insecure.
ORGANIZATIONS STEPPING UP AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL TOO IF YOU CAN
Many local businesses and organizations are stepping up to help their neighbors and hope that individuals will do what they can too to make sure their neighbors get enough food.
Quietside Snacks on the Tremont Road in Bernard will continue its Hanging Sandwich Program. The business writes of the likely SNAP impact, “We know how much that support means to families and neighbors right here on the island. If you ever need a meal, please stop by and take one, no questions asked. And if you’re able, you can always add a sandwich to the board to help someone else.”
Similarly, Blaze Bar Harbor has announced that it would like to give discounts to those who need them.
“During the month of November, or until the government shutdown ends, all Blaze locations will offer 50% off our entire food menu (regularly priced items) to current EBT SNAP benefit cardholders Monday through Thursday for both lunch and dinner, and Sunday 2-close,” the company wrote on social media.
“We realize this isn’t a fixer for families by any means, but more of an opportunity for folks with financial challenges to still be able to have a meal out once in a while and bring the kids to enjoy some time out of the house, eat a pizza, and have a Shirley Temple,” it wrote. “Just quietly slide your valid and current card and form of payment in the guest check presenter, and we will quietly oblige and take the 50% off your bill. This applies to food and non alcoholic beverages. Do not worry about ‘industry standard’ 20% tips either. Just do what you can. We are here to help.
“We wish everyone the best during these difficult times. We hope this helps even just a little, kindest regards, Matt, Evelina, and our whole team,” it finished.
Blaze Bar Harbor is located at 198 Main Street in Bar Harbor.
The MDI Backpack program has been addressing food insecurity for area children for a decade, currently serving approximately 40 kids in Bar Harbor, Cranberry Island, Mount Desert, Trenton, and at MDI High School.
The program also gives snack boxes to area schools.
Every weekend it sends bags of food to those kids’ homes. Those bags cost between $25 to $30 each.
“The snack boxes, which help prevent our teachers, counselors and nurses from buying snacks for the children, cost about the same weekly,” Vicky Smith, representing the organization, wrote October 26 on social media. “With benefits disappearing this week we anticipate our numbers climbing. During Covid the numbers went from about 40 to some weeks 150.
“If you can help please go to our website Mdibackpackprogram.org and donate,” she wrote. “If a child you know in our area needs some help with food insecurity please reach out to the school counselor, nurse or teacher who will contact us and we will make sure they get food every Friday. We run solely on donations and with volunteers. Thank you.”
Diana Novella posted about a spaghetti dinner, Monday, November 3 from 5–7 p.m., at St. John’s Church in Southwest Harbor to support the School Backpack Program in Southwest Harbor and Tremont, which is helping local children facing food insecurity.
“This program is different than the MDI Backpack program, which serves Bar Harbor, Mt Desert & Trenton. This program serves children in the Pemetic & Tremont School community,” she wrote. “Every plate helps feed a child in our community — we hope to see you there!”
The program on the island’s western side has been helping kids for 13 years. It currently serves 26 children, Novella said Wednesday.
In both programs, students go to the office to pick up backpacks of food, which they bring home for the weekend. Volunteers pack the food on Fridays and deliver them to the schools. Students return empty packs on Monday.
First National Bank will be holding a food drive in all its locations.
The Mt. Desert Education Association is organizing a district-wide fundraiser next week to support local food pantries and organizations that directly help our students and families. According to an email, funds raised will be donated to local food pantries and the Seacoast Mission.
In Ellsworth, restauranteur Paul Markosian wrote, “This was not my idea. In the past few days, I’ve heard that some local restaurants, including Blaze Bar Harbor, ME – Craft Beer & Wood Fired Flavors and Provender Kitchen + Bar in Ellsworth were providing free or discounted meals for people whose SNAP benefits were ending. Then I got an email from Tracy Scheckel, who is working with our city and local food businesses to coordinate ways to help the people affected. Then one of my staff members, Saylor DesJardin, approached me this morning to ask if we could do something. I asked her to write up her idea and she did, in collaboration with Kahli Clairmont, also on our staff. This was the result. The rest of the staff endorsed it and even offered to contribute their tip money to the cause. All I did was post it on the Flexit Facebook page, and the response has been so heartening. I feel fortunate to be in a community where so many people care!”
The Flexit Cafe will be offering free hot soup and coffee for those in need for November or until SNAP/EBT benefits are restored.
“Just jump in line as usual, slide your valid card across the counter, and front of house staff will handle the rest,” Markosian posted on Flexit’s site.
Similarly, the Sweet Spot wrote, “Starting November 1st we will be offering SNAP recipients free bagged lunch until benefits are restored. Each bagged lunch will have a ham or turkey sandwich with chips, a fruit bar and a water. No questions or judgement, just show your SNAP card to the cashier and take what you need from the cooler. We are located at 61 Main Street in Ellsworth.”
RESOURCES TO HELP AND TO HELP YOU
The Mount Desert Islander has a helpful and free guide to local resources, biggest needs, and how to give here. Chris Popper of WDEA has a list of Hancock County food pantries here, which is free like all of his content.
For those in the immediate MDI region, you can head to:
- 34 Kennebec Place in Bar Harbor
- Tuesday – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Wednesday – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Thursday – 12 NOON – 6:00 PM
- Friday – 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON – Fresh Food Fridays
- You can also order food online during designated windows.
- Contact info: bhpantry@bhfp.org or 288-3375
- Donation information is here.
BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY ON SWAN’S ISLAND
- Contact info: dutille@hotmail.com
- 217 Harbor Rd., Swan’s Island
- http://www.seacoastmission.org/
- You can arrange donations and also mail monetary support 81 Atlantic Loop Rd., Swan’s Island, ME, 04685
COMMON GOOD SOUP KITCHEN
- Food Pantry: Year-round: Sundays, 12:00–2:00 PM
- Grocery Delivery: Weekly deliveries to neighbors in need across Mount Desert Island. Year-round: Fridays, 8:00–9:30 AM
- Popover Breakfast: Summer Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 7:30–11:30 AM and Winter Hours: Sundays, 9:00–11:00 AM
- Soup Lunch: Winter Only: Wednesdays, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Community Dinners: Winter Only: Fridays, 4:00–6:00 PM
- https://www.commongoodkitchen.org/
- 19 Clark Point Rd., Southwest Harbor
- (207) 244-3007
- debicgsk@gmail.com
- Options to donate are here.
MAINE SEACOAST MISSION
- Hours are Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 6 Old Firehouse Lane or PO Box 600, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
- For inquiries about the Food Security program, email Food Pantry Coordinator Stacy Openshaw or call (207) 546-7424
- Its website is here.
MDI HOSPITAL HEALTH CENTERS
- Location: All of the hospital’s health centers. Each center hosts a small pantry.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Contact info: Patricia Thurlow, 288-5081
MDI BACKPACK PROGRAMS
- The backpack programs provide food to students for the weekend.
- Click the “Donate” button at mdibackpackprogram.org for the program which serves Bar Harbor, Trenton, Cranberry Island, Mount Desert and the high school. Checks can be made out to The MDI Backpack Program and mailed to Vicky Smith, P.O. Box 123, Hulls Cove, ME 04644.
- For the Pemetic and Tremont Backpack Program, head over to the Harbor House site here. To donate head over here.
TIMBERWOLF COMMUNITY CUPBOARD
- 51 School Road, Trenton, located outside Trenton Elementary School.
- Thursdays, 11:30 to 5 p.m.
- Fresh produce and other goods on Thursdays.
- The cupboard is made possible through Bar Harbor Food Pantry’s community partnerships with Trenton Elementary School, Healthy Acadia, and Island Connections.
- Find updates on the Trenton Town Crier Facebook Page or email the Pantry at bhpantry@bhfp.org
WESTSIDE FOOD PANTRY
- 315 Main St., Southwest Harbor
- Food is dispersed on the first Sunday of the month, noon-2 p.m.; third Sunday, noon to 1 p.m.
- How to donate: Money only; donate at www.westsidefoodpantry.org or to P.O. Box 767, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679.
A QUICK NOTE: We anticipate updating this article. If you know of or are part of an organization that helps with food insecurity, please send us a message. Many apologies if we’ve missed your good deeds.
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