The residents of Washington and Charlotte counties are feeling multiple expense pressures with the rising cost of groceries and utilities driving new clients to food pantries and assistance lines. Among the most affected are younger people, including young families, resulting in dramatic increases in the number of clients served in some cases.
      Hunger is up 47% over the past three years in Maine, according to a new report from Hunger Free America. While that report didn't address data by county, Washington County typically has among the highest rates of food insecurity in the state, particularly for children -- such as in 2021, when 21.5% of children experienced missing meals.
      "We get new people all the time," says Dawn Noonan, president of the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry (ICEFP) in Calais. "We're seeing a lot of younger clients. Some of them are homeless. It's a little scary."
      More than 25 families came through the ICEFP in two hours on Friday, January 3, says volunteer and organization secretary Heather Ross, though she notes it's not always that busy. "Overall, numbers are up over previous years."
      The ICEFP is one of the largest food pantries in Washington County, though specific figures for clients served weren't available in time for publication. Households from Dennysville to Talmadge regularly come to the pantry, Noonan says. "We don't refuse anyone."
      The ICEFP receives regular produce deliveries from the Good Shepherd Food Bank and the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, but the food pantry has been running out of some staples. "We always need cereals, and we can use side dishes, like Knorr [pasta] and ramen noodles," Noonan says. "And margarine."
      Along with food and financial donations, the ICEFP is in need of younger volunteers, as most are currently over 70. "They're a dedicated team, but sometimes they have other obligations and they can't be here."
      The ICEFP is open on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m., on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.
      To make a financial donation to the ICEFP, mail to 513 Main Street, Calais, ME 04619. To coordinate a food donation, volunteer or with any other questions, call 207 214 4500 and leave a message.

Meal plan feeds students
      At nearby Washington County Community College (WCCC), organizers are not seeing an increase in the number of students coming to the on campus Caring Cupboard, reports student navigator Bernadette Farrar, although "the cupboard is still going through a good amount of food monthly." She attributes the ease in demand to the college's recently instituted requirement for a minimum 15 meal meal plan for residential students, ensuring three meals a day from the cafeteria.
      Along with meal assistance, WCCC students -- on campus and off -- can request help from the SOS Emergency Fund. This might include help with utilities, heating or rent depending on the circumstances. According to Farrar, requests to that fund are also currently down.

Young families struggle on island
      On Grand Manan, organizers at Action Ministries' food pantry are seeing a steady number of children as their clients come to visit, says Michelle Kropiniski. "The largest age group we serve by far are 36-50 year olds and children," she says, noting that of the 1,600 individuals who accessed the food bank this year, more than half were children.
      There were 44 new clients over the past year, Kropiniski says, while 27 clients dropped off due to no longer have the same needs or moving away. "We have new clients every month."
      The steady need is due to the high cost of living, Kropiniski says. "Power bills are a huge struggle for our clients and the cost of food, for sure."
      To help raise funds to meet the need, Action Ministries will hold its annual meeting dinner gala in April, along with a possible auction.
      The Grand Manan food bank is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. To make an appointment for a private visit, call Barb at 506 662 3585 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and leave a message.

Machias sees 50% increase
      At the Machias Area Food Pantry, there's been a significant increase in the number of clients seeking help -- more than 50%, estimates organizer Ken Warner, with as many as 700 visitors coming to the pantry each week.
      The increase is being driven by "the price of food," says co organizer Nancy Lewis. "We do have a lot of homeless people, transient people, people who just got here. But it's mainly the price of food. A lot of our clients are working. They just need help making ends meet."
      There's been a big increase in people between the ages of 1-49, says Warner - "in other words, working age people and their children."
      The Machias pantry primarily relies on the local Hannaford for gleaning goods, Warner says, adding, "They do really well by us," providing meat, produce and bread. "That begins our week. People come in looking for that."
      The Machias pantry's "never ending ask" is for money to help offset the cost of food, Warner says. Funds are also being sought to build a gardening shed to store tools that will gradually help to provide fresh produce. Volunteers -- particularly younger volunteers who are able to lift -- are also sought.
      The Machias food pantry, located at 43 Kennebec Road, is open on Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It can be reached at 207 259 6044. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 75, Machias, ME 04654 or made online at machiasareafoodpantry.org/donate.

Lubec pantry greets new faces
      In Lubec, organizers are seeing some new faces at the Lubec Community Outreach Center (LCOC) pantry, with a rise in the number of families and young adults seeking assistance, says LCOC Executive Director Jennifer Bristol. For the most part, however, "the majority of our neighbors served are older adults." There hasn't been a significant increase in the number of clients, Bristol says, with the center averaging around 150 served on a regular basis. She does expect there could be an increase in that number with the recent closure of the Whiting Food Pantry.
      "The price of food is a common theme for our neighbors," Bristol says, noting that it's something that LCOC feels keenly as 90% of the organization's food is purchased. "This increase puts pressure on our ability to maintain our purchasing power, even with the amazing work and efforts of our primary partners at the Good Shepherd Food Bank."
      The Lubec pantry is always taking food donations, Bristol says, adding that one particular challenge is keeping healthy foods in stock. Financially, the LCOC spends about $25,000 a year on food supplies, and financial donations are welcome to help offset that cost.
      The LCOC pantry, located at 44 South Street, is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9:30 a.m. to noon. It can be reached at 207 733 5262.

Eastport numbers rising
      In Eastport, the number of households receiving support is increasing by about five a month, according to Labor of Love pantry manager Lindy McClellan. "It doesn't sound like a lot, but I feel it is significant for this area." On average, about 240 individuals are assisted on a monthly basis. "I would say there are more adults and elderly, but we do have many families."
      Across the board, "the high and rising cost of groceries and fuel" is the biggest factor bringing clients in, McClellan says.
      For the most part the pantry is sufficiently stocked, McClellan says, "though there have been some challenges" such as getting enough meat. "Monthly food collections from the area churches fill in the holes of our pantry items, and we are grateful for them," she says, adding, "No matter the circumstances we get a good bag of meat and produce out each week as well as monthly pantry boxes."
      Assistance from the community has been key in keeping the Labor of Love on track, both in terms of donations and volunteers, McClellan says. "I anticipate the next few months to be challenging, but I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do here with my amazing crew of volunteers!"
      The Labor of Love, located at 137 County Road, is open on Fridays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please call 207 853 0812 with any questions.