Volunteers Battling Food Insecurity in Maine's Rural Communities

Tue Oct 21 2025 02:28:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In rural Waldo County, Maine, dedicated volunteers like Phylis Allen are striving to provide food for families amid increasing demand and dwindling supplies.

In Winterport, Maine, 78-year-old Phylis Allen leads the Neighbor's Cupboard food pantry, serving families amidst rising food insecurity. Despite facing challenges from a diminishing food supply and an aging volunteer workforce, the pantry continues to support local families with essential groceries. With over one in seven rural individuals experiencing food insecurity, the need for volunteers and reliable food sources is more critical than ever as federal cuts threaten charitable food networks.

WINTERPORT, Maine — Each day, 78-year-old Phylis Allen, a food pantry director, scours local stores for affordable food items for the Neighbor's Cupboard in Maine. Her weekly shopping routine involves visiting multiple stores to gather essential provisions like eggs, greens, and dairy products. On a recent trip, she proudly secured seven dozen eggs for $2.82 a dozen, which goes to assist families struggling with food insecurity.

Allen has guided the pantry for 17 years, providing bags of groceries to approximately 30 families weekly. However, food insecurity remains a significant issue in Maine, particularly in rural areas like Waldo County, where about one in seven residents faced hunger as of 2023.

The food pantry is grappling with increasing demands, decreased food supplies, and an aging volunteer base that primarily consists of retirees. Nationwide reports indicate that more than 75% of food relief organizations operate without paid staff, leading to a heavy reliance on community volunteers.

The challenges have been exacerbated by recent federal cutbacks that have slashed programs crucial for food banks, leading to stark shortages. One group, Feeding America, warns that significant drops in food supplies are expected as SNAP funding faces cuts of over $186 billion, increasing the already high demand for local food pantries.

Despite these hurdles, Allen remains resolute in her mission, stating that her pantry will continue to serve everyone in need without restrictions, even as operational difficulties mount. Food banks and pantries alone cannot solve food insecurity, said Anna Korsen, co-chair of the Ending Hunger in Maine advisory committee. They are meant for crisis, not a long-term food system strategy.

On Wednesdays at Neighbor's Cupboard, community volunteers like 89-year-old Keith Ritchie greet patrons with warmth while managing the distribution of food. This tight-knit group of elder volunteers is increasingly challenged by health concerns and the need for more manpower, particularly amongst the younger generations who are less likely to engage in traditional volunteer shifts.

As Maine continues to confront the growing crisis of food insecurity, local organizations are banding together to find new ways to address these challenges, while also calling for increased support from government programs.