Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine

The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.

A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.

The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Maine Free Clinics, Maine Food Stamps, and food banks.

This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.

What is a Food Bank?

Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.

They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.

Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.

How the Food Bank Works?

• 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
• 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
• 3. Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
• 4. Food reaches to who are in need.

Who can use Food Banks?

Many Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.

There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.

Here are the tips while .

• It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
• Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
• If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.

Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.

Second Harvest Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.

St. Mary's Food Bank

The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.

The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.

It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.

Church Food Bank Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine

Church Food Bank Food Bank in Androscoggin County, Maine serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.

Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.

Feeding America

John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.

The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.

The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.

SNAP benefits in Androscoggin County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.

In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.

The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.

Free Food Programs Summary