Healthy Island Project prepares for SNAP food benefits suspension

See a complete list below of local organizations offering food assistance.

A Wednesday produce day is a staple at Healthy Island Project. Photo by Jenna Lookner.

By Jenna Lookner

With the federal government shut down since Oct. 1, one major concern facing Americans—and Mainers—is the temporary cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits set to begin November 1. 

Twenty-five states, including Maine, have filed suit against the Trump Administration as of October 28 alleging that the administration's decision to withhold SNAP payments is unlawful and threatens essential food security. According to CBS news, there are 42 million SNAP recipients nationwide. 

For a list of organizations in Hancock County offering food assistance, click here, or scroll to the bottom of this story for the list.

According to Rene Colson, the executive director of Stonington’s Healthy Island Project which serves Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle, Stonington and Isle Au Haut, 12 percent of Hancock County residents receive SNAP benefits. Colson said that the issuance date for SNAP benefits in Maine is typically between the 11th and 14th day of the month, meaning that while no funds will be issued for November, many Maine residents received their October benefits mid-month and will not expect them again until mid-November. 

While Colson acknowledged that much could change in the ensuing weeks, such as a reopening of the government, HIP is prepared for what may come. 

“Whether or not benefits are reinstated and resolved, the amount of stress and trauma this is creating for SNAP recipients and those who care about them is immense,” she said. “This is adding an element of psychological pain to those who are already struggling. It feels mean-spirited.” 

Colson said that the uncertainty surrounding SNAP comes on the heels of a busy summer where HIP saw a 347 percent increase in pantry visits. 

“It just continued to grow,” she said. “People are learning about the pantry and that it is a welcoming place.” 

Colson said that salaries to Mainers have lagged behind the increased cost of living.

“We’re not even close to a living wage yet,” she said. “We are going to need safety nets and they can’t all come from inside a small community.” 

Fortuitously, Colson said HIP is well-prepared to address many of the evolving challenges facing the local community. 

“HIP has been building something,” she said. “And this is a moment when we really need it.” 

HIP has forged partnerships with businesses and organizations throughout the state, including the grocery store chain Hannaford, where staff members pick up items twice a week. In addition, they receive a monthly delivery from The Good Shepherd Food Bank. 

Currently HIP’s core programs include 12 points of food access, including weekly pantry hours, weekly Hannaford Fresh Rescue, a monthly morning pantry, weekly gleaned produce availability, monthly fresh produce distribution, special order forms for food, a weekly backpack program, pantries at the high school and elementary school, a partnership with Healthy Peninsula and the Magic Food Bus, the monthly senior food box program, and HIP lunchbox meals. 

Colson said area residents also step up to donate. 

“We have quite a few locals who will donate eggs, produce, etc,” she said. Currently all deliveries and pickups are made using the personal vehicles of the staff. Colson said a van would be a welcome addition to their operations. In addition to their routine trips and deliveries, volunteers provide 130 delivered meals delivered to Island seniors every Thursday from September to June. 

Colson said that HIP does its best to respond in a food security crisis. 

“If someone contacts us outside of our programs we will do our best to make it happen,” she said. She added that the organization is experienced with responding to immediate needs. She said that fostering relationships with neighbors is crucial. 

“We need to know our neighbors,” she said. “I think we’re going to be relying on our relationships more than ever.”

While some food resources require proof of income, HIP does not. She said that area resources include the Island Food Pantry at the Island Community Center, The Simmering Pot in Blue Hill, and Healthy Peninsula. 

Colson said that seasonal businesses including the Pilgrim’s Inn and Haystack have donated provisions from their kitchens as they close for the season. 

“I am constantly having conversations with local and regional partners,” she said. 

Colson said that she wants to create a “wide door of welcome” so that people always feel comfortable visiting HIP. She said she feels that the mission of the organization has allowed them to prepare for a moment like this. 

“We’re going to have their backs,” she said of the Island community. “We need to continue creating programs and opportunities in our own community. We’re up for it, we’ve been doing it.” 

Following is a town-by-town list of organizations in Hancock County offering food assistance:

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Food Pantry
Location: 34 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Days and Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 am. - 2:00 pm; Thursday 9:00 am. - 6:00 pm; & Fresh Food Friday 9:00 am. - 12:00 pm.
Contact: Tom Reeve 207-288-3375

Blue Hill

Tree of Life Food Pantry
Location: 23 South Street, Blue Hill, ME 04614
Days and Hours: Thursdays 9:00 am. - 1:00 pm.
Contact: Ray Manak 207-374-2900

Bucksport

Bucksport Community Concerns - Food Pantry
Location: 181 Franklin Street, Bucksport, ME 04472
Days and Hours: Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30 am. & Mondays 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
Contact: Raymond Monreal 207-217-1173

Deer Isle

Island Food Pantry
Location: 6 Memorial Lane, Stonington, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Days and Hours: Thursdays (Not 5th Thursday) 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Contact: Kathy Gray 207-460-1776

Ellsworth

Emmaus Center Food Pantry
Location: 51 Main Street (Corner of Main & Water), Ellsworth, ME 04605
Days and Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 2:00 pm. (24 hour advance notice)
Contact: Lisa Reynolds 207-667-3962

Ellsworth

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Location: 137 Downeast Highway Route 1 N, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Days and Hours: Monday 9:30 am. - 12:30 pm, Wednesday 9:30 am. - 12:30 pm. and 4:00 - 6:30 pm. & Friday 9:30 am. - 12:30 pm.
Contact: Dave Schnebeck 207-667-4363

Gouldsboro

Schoodic Food Pantry
Location: 829 US Route 1, Gouldsboro, ME 04607
Days and Hours: Tuesday & Friday 8:30 - 11:00 am.
Contact: Donna Harmon 207-650-9164

Orland

H.O.M.E. Co-Op Food Pantry
Location: 90 School House Road, Orland, ME 04472 (Mail - P.O.Box 10)
Days and Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00 am. - 12:00 pm. & 1:00 - 3:00 pm. & Thursday & Friday 8:00 am. - 12:00 pm.
Contact: Maureen Hayden 207-469-7961 (ext. 3)

Otis

What's for Suppa? Food Pantry
Location: 638 Otis Rd., Otis, ME 04605
Days and Hours: 3rd Wednesdays 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
Contact: Faith Colburn 207-537-3412

Southwest Harbor

Common Good Soup Kitchen
Location: 19 Clark Point rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04656
Days and Hours: Pantry: 1st & 3rd Sunday 12:30 - 2:00 pm. Thursday Community Meal: 11:00 am. - 12:30 pm.
Contact: Debi Estep 207-244-3007

Stonington

Healthy Island Project
Location: 91 South Burnt Cove Rd. , Stonington, ME 04681
Days and Hours: Wednesday 2:30 - 5:30 pm.
Contact: Rene Colson 207-367-6332

Swan's Island

Bread of Life Food Pantry
Location: Old Firehouse Swan's Island Village, Swan's Island, ME 04685
Days and Hours: Sundays 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
Contact: Joanna Kohler 207-526-4024