$250,000 grant will help Good Shepherd Food Bank as its works with frontline partners to meet an unprecedented level of demand for food assistance in the days ahead

As Maine families prepare for the loss of federal food assistance on November 1, the John T. Gorman Foundation has provided a $250,000 grant to Good Shepherd Food Bank to support frontline partners in trying to meet unprecedented demand in the days ahead. Combined with State funds released by Governor Janet Mills, the emergency support totals $1.25 million.

The Foundation is proud to be among the many Maine organizations, businesses, and individuals who are working together right now to lessen the blow on our neighbors.

“In Maine, neighbors help each other when there’s a storm on the horizon. This is one of those moments,” said John T. Gorman Foundation President & CEO Nicole Witherbee. “It’s critical that we do everything we can to lessen the blow for these families and support the frontline organizations who will be working to meet an unprecedented level of demand until these benefits are restored. For the sake of our neighbors, I hope that’s soon.”

Maine has the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in New England, with 1 in 5 children not having regular access to enough to eat. Witherbee cited the need for federal action to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits so the situation doesn’t worsen further. As the federal government shutdown continues, Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have cosponsored legislation to continue uninterrupted SNAP funding while Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to direct available contingency funds to the program.