Higher costs and greater need hit food and fuel funds

Area food and fuel funds are facing unprecedented challenges in the wake of decreased government assistance, rising inflation and costs and increased need. It's a perfect storm that has some programs wondering if they will be able to continue their operations in the face of high demand.
"Washington and Hancock counties are slated to have the most applied households to the HEAP program in these counties' histories," says James Nealey, energy services director for Downeast Community Partners (DCP), which provides local administration for the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). At the same time, federal funding for the program has decreased from $6.1 billion in FY 2023 to $3.7 billion for the current winter, meaning individual households are seeing their awards cut in half.
On top of that, a previously offered supplemental benefit has been cut, Nealey says, "so for some households they potentially are having a reduction larger than 50% of what they received last year for benefits."
DCP has seen a 40% increase in the number of new applications to the HEAP program this year, with a total of 4,000 applications scheduled for review through February. It's a staggering figure that raises concern, as even with last year's higher budget the fund was exhausted in March, Nealey says. "If we continue to schedule clients at our current rate, we could take anywhere from 100 to 1,300 more household applications over the prior year."
DCP also administers the THAW fund, which is supported by community donations. That fund "has already been depleted due to the profound need" this year, says Sharon Catus, DCP's development director. Last year the fund disbursed a record $200,000 to those in emergency need of heating assistance; this year, it has disbursed all of its available $80,000, prompting DCP to put out a call for significant donations.
To help raise funds, DCP is holding a fundraiser event called "To Warm a Winter's Night," featuring live music and an auction, at the Grand in Ellsworth on Saturday, February 24. Interested donors can also go to www.downeastcommunitypartners.org or call 207 664 2424.
While DCP represents the largest organization in the area contending with increased demand for fuel or food assistance, the same challenges are seen at every level across local communities.
The Machias Food Pantry has seen a 25% increase in demand this year over last, according to co-directors Ken Warner and Nancy Lewis, with 228 families now coming each month. "The increase per month in this current calendar year exceeds last year's in every month," Warner says. The pantry is currently raising funds for a walk in cooler and refrigeration unit that will expand their ability to store baked goods and additional offerings from the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Donations to the Machias pantry can be made at machiasareafoodpantry.org/donate.
The Machias Food Pantry is open to all residents of Bucks Harbor, Cutler, East Machias, Jonesboro, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley and Whitneyville on Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Eastport resources available
In Eastport, the emergency fuel fund of the Greater Eastport Ecumenical Churches Association (GEECA) has already issued 15 vouchers this winter. "Normally we wait until January, but it's been cold," says Colin Windhorst of GEECA. The fund had some reserves left over from last year to cover the vouchers, but new donations are needed to keep the vouchers going out.
The GEECA fund is for emergency purposes only, but beyond that "we don't discriminate," Windhorst says. "It's for the elderly, people living alone, people who are sick. You just have to live somewhere in the greater Eastport area," defined approximately as Robbinston, Perry, Sipayik, Dennysville, Edmunds, Cathance, Trescott and Lubec. "There are always people who fall through the cracks. That's really who we're trying to help."
The vouchers from GEECA come in the form of a cord of wood or 100 gallons of propane or oil, Windhorst says. The rising prices of fuel are making donations all the more important.
At the Labor of Love Food Pantry in Eastport, volunteers are seeing an increase in the number of recipients, according to GEECA president Madeline Murphy, although exact numbers weren't yet available to share. At the same time, the cost of food has skyrocketed from previous years.
The Labor of Love is contending with monthly food prices of $3,500 this year. During COVID-19, the price of food for the pantry was only the cost of delivery from Good Shepherd; prior to COVID-19, it was about $500 per month.
To help offset the high need, the pantry has coordinated a pasta drive with area churches in Dennysville, Pembroke, Perry, Robbinston and Eastport, Murphy says. Donations of unopened boxes of pasta can be brought to local churches or directly to area pantries through the month of January. "We might expand this if the need continues," Murphy adds.
Donations to the Labor of Love and the GEECA fuel fund can be made at EastportLaborofLove.org. Online donations can be used almost immediately and are encouraged, Windhorst says.
Food is available to those in need at the Labor of Love at 137 County Road in Eastport on Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. Contact 207 853 0812 for information on the fuel fund.

Lubec safety net stretches wide
In Lubec, the Senior Fuel Fund - while still available - is struggling, according to Suzette Francis at the town office. Last year the fund provided about $27,600 for seniors to heat their homes, Francis says, but the fund balance has dropped considerably over last year.
"Larger donations are needed if this fund is expected to be available in the future," Francis says. "If this year is a repeat of last year, this fund may not be available for the 2024 2025 winter season."
Seniors in Lubec in need of heating assistance or donors to the fund may call Francis at 207 733 2341.
The Lubec Community Outreach Center (LCOC) manages the food pantry efforts in the town. Like other area pantries, they are seeing increased need, in this case double the amount over last year, according to Jennifer Bristol, executive director of LCOC. A total of 155 households are now being actively served with food provisions. "We are seeing new faces at each pantry [session], and with seasonal workers, we see an increase in January through March," Bristol says.
Referring to pantry visitors as neighbors, Bristol says they work hard to communicate the importance of limiting the amount taken and the number of visits per month. "At this time we have been able to meet the need, but this is an ongoing challenge as we purchase 90% of the food we offer. As food prices increase, our purchase power will be affected."
Beyond filling short-term gaps for those in need, Bristol is continually looking for ways to work with organizations and partners in the community to help create more long-term stability for pantry neighbors in terms of adding to income, resources or opportunities. "There is no immediate solution," Bristol says, "but the questions are at the forefront in our efforts."
The LCOC is open to those in need of food from Cutler, Edmunds, Machias, East Machias, Dennysville, Pembroke, Perry, Trescott, Whiting and Whitneyville on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Donations to LCOC can be made at www.lubecoutreach.org, by mail at 44 South St., Lubec, ME 04652, or by calling 207 733 4735.

Calais food and fuel sources
In Calais, those in need have a few options when it comes to requesting food and fuel assistance, although the available resources have decreased from previous years. The Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry (ICEFP) is one of the largest in the area with more than 1,000 clients. The number of clients served has increased over previous years, according to new President Dawn Noonan, although up to date figures are not yet available.
While the ICEFP's food provision efforts are continuing under new leadership, its previously administered fuel fund, which was operational as of last year, is no longer available.
Stepping in to fill the gap is the St. Croix Area Calais Rotary Club, which provided emergency fuel assistance to a dozen households last year and is looking to "greatly expand" the number of households assisted this year, according to David Montague.
The Rotary lacks a screening or application process at present, explains Charlie McAlpin, and those wishing to request fuel assistance in the Calais area should contact V.L. Tammaro or Dead River directly to ask if emergency Rotary funds are available.
To help raise funds, the Rotary is holding four raffles that will be held on Friday, February 2; tickets can be purchased from any Rotarian. Donations to the fuel assistance fund can be made by mail to 71 St. Croix Drive, Calais, ME 04619.
Students of Washington County Community College in Calais also have the option of receiving assistance from the college's Caring Cupboard Pantry when in need of food, or from the college's SOS Emergency Fund, both of which are administered by Student Navigator Bernadette Farrar. She can be reached at 207 454 1086.

Clothes and food available on Campobello
On Campobello, residents can turn to the Clothesline and Food Bank for assistance. Originally started as a grassroots operation, it's been running for more than 10 years; it became an official member of the Food Banks of Canada in 2022, according to volunteer Lori Matthews.
The food bank has "a lovely space for our food bank and free clothing exchange," Matthews says, and is currently undergoing renovations in the food prep area. "The renovations will maximize our usable space and create better traffic flow."
While the number of clients could not be disclosed due to privacy concerns, Matthews says, "We are currently doing well with intake and demand, but circumstances can change quickly for anyone, so donations of nonperishable food or money are always welcomed."
The Campobello food bank program is available to anyone "regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, income source, age or mental or physical ability," Matthews says. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
To make a donation or with inquiries call 506 752 1019.

Food need increases in Grand Manan
The Grand Manan food bank has seen a significant increase in demand this year, with 529 households served this year compared to 298 last year, according to Michelle Kropiniski of Action Ministries.
Fortunately, Action Ministries has seen an equally comparable increase in donations, Kropiniski says. "In addition to frozen and dry good shipments from the province, we also have day-old expired meats, dairy and bakery items donated from our local Independent grocery store in abundance! Our clients are able to leave with many boxes of items, and over Christmas our freezers were overflowing."
Action Ministries also administers an emergency fuel and electricity bill fund, along with providing travel assistance to medical appointments and other resources. Those interested should contact 506 222 0410 to request assistance or to make a donation. The food bank is open on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.; call 506 662 3585 with food bank specific questions.