Open every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
9 Main Street, Bowdoinham, Maine
bowdoinhamfoodpantry@gmail.com
207-751-7779
Our pantry is open every Wednesday for in person shopping. ALL Bowdoin and Bowdoinham residents are welcome at the pantry, no income verification required! We are located down by the waterfront, in the gray building.
In addition to our regular shelf-stable items, we have an abundance of fresh, local produce.
If you are in need of a little extra help with groceries, a variety of personal items and more, we encourage you to come see us.
We are also available for emergency situations – just call!
Transportation a problem? Reach out, we can help!
BREAKING NEWS!
SNAP Emergency Allotments END in February!
Emergency Allotments are additional SNAP funds that were put in place to help Maine families during the pandemic and allowed many Mainers to experience food security for the FIRST TIME. The loss of benefits is a devastating blow for Maine households, food retailers, and the emergency food network.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the best defense against hunger. Many people still call the program food stamps, although we try to collectively refer to it as SNAP. About 170,000 Mainers currently receive SNAP to help purchase food for themselves and their families. SNAP allows the dignity of shopping at a store, generates revenue at food retailers across the state, and relieves the burden on the emergency food network.
During the pandemic, all SNAP recipients received Emergency Allotments. SNAP emergency allotments are a temporary increase authorized by Congress to help SNAP recipients during the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first emergency allotment was an increase to the household maximum benefit amount. The second was a 15 percent increase. The third was the difference between the total amount of the first two increases and an additional $95 per month.
We knew these Emergency Allotments were temporary, although we advocated tirelessly along with SNAP recipients and other organizations to extend these as long as possible. We heard time and time again that it took a pandemic to adequately fund SNAP. For the first time, thousands of Mainers had enough money on their EBT card each month so that they have not had to rely on their local pantry as frequently or at all.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress at the end of December stops all emergency allotments after the February 2023 issuance. Maine had an easement plan that would allow us to extend one more month beyond the federal sunset, and the Act eliminated that option. This means that there will be a reduction in SNAP benefits in March 2023.
Not only will this impact SNAP recipients, it will also impact food retailers. This benefit cliff will eliminate $17 million SNAP dollars per month would otherwise be spent in Maine’s grocery stores and farmers markets.
Two other SNAP changes that occurred during the pandemic-
First, the pre-pandemic state minimum SNAP amount was $16/month and due to the reassessment of the Thrifty Food Plan the new state minimum is $23/month.
Second, Maine eliminated the asset test for SNAP eligibility. This means that people who were previously ineligible due to the asset limit may now be eligible and should reapply.
To apply for SNAP, please visit this website- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov)
COVID-19 UPDATE
We are committed to keeping the pantry open to serve everyone in need of food assistance in a way that is safe for our clients and for our volunteers.
The Pantry is happy to announce that we are open for in-person shopping. Shoppers are asked to take a number as they drive in, park their car and wait to be called in to shop. One to two families will be invited to shop at a time. Everyone will be required to wear a mask while inside, regardless vaccination status. Thank you for your patience and understanding. See you Wednesday!
Our Mission
To provide healthy and sustaining food, personal care products, and other needed household items to the people of Bowdoinham and Bowdoin in a compassionate, respectful manner.
Our Vision
Everyone in our community has the information, resources, and sustenance they need to be food secure.
Board of Directors
Sally Cluchey, Chair
Bethany Allen, Secretary
Linda Jariz, Treasurer
Jon Beede
Caitlin Johnson
Carol Lenna
Jane Foster
Jan Hayward