Aroostook Steps Up After Loss of SNAP Benefits

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) - With SNAP benefits suspended, many Aroostook County families are facing tough decisions about groceries this November. But as hard times hit our community, locals are stepping up to help their neighbors. As November approaches, concern is growing across Aroostook County. Without SNAP benefits, many families may struggle to put food on the table next month. Money that was already stretched thin is about to get even tighter. But across the county, people are stepping up to help. Several local food establishments are opening their doors to those in need.

Louanne Deabay, Owner of Mama Lou’s in Masardis said: “I put a Facebook ad and said anybody who is going to be losing benefits are more than welcome to come when I close and grab what I have left over and I’ll just give it to them and when I made that post it kind of snowballed in a good way because since then I’ve had people come in and either buy pizza, subs, and French fries. So, I can give out to people, or I’ve had 11 families now come and donate some money so I can purchase more food or help these people out.”

Thomas Peers, Owner of Smokey Bear’s BBQ adds: “What we’re trying to do is just have people either get a hold of us, or stop by, or have a friend get a hold of us. We’re gonna be doing meals here on the house. We’ll be giving gift certificates to people that need it. We’ve been sending Walmart orders to people. So, we will be taking donations of canned goods, dried goods, anything like that. If anybody wants to give monetary donations it would be stopping by here anytime Tuesday until Saturday. Usually, 11 o’clock until about 7 is when we’re open so anybody that wanted to can stop by during those hours and either get help or give help.”

Local schools are also pitching in to help county families. Melanie Blais, MSAD 20’s Superintendent spoke about the district’s food drive. “First, I have to give the credit to my staff. They sprang into action immediately when they heard that there was gonna be an impact on SNAP benefits for our local families. They organized, in a very short amount of time, an opportunity for a food drive collection. So, this Friday night, tomorrow evening actually, from 3:30pm to 7pm we’re encouraging folks who can to drop off non-perishable food items here at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School. I guess the bottom line for MSAD 20 and the staff here and the conversations that we’ve had is despite politics being what they are we’re not willing to let our families struggle any more than they have to.”

Families can pick up food boxes at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School on November 7th from noon to 7 p.m., and on November 24th and 25th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These local businesses and organizations are encouraging anyone who needs assistance to reach out, and anyone who can help to get involved.

Organizations and businesses helping county residents with food assistance:

• County Food Pantries, Maine Department of Agriculture: Commissioner’s Office
• Mama Lou’s, (207) 435-2401
• Smokey Bear’s BBQ, (207) 218-4770
• J & R BBQ, (207) 540-5416
• Framework Church, (207) 764-5187
• MSAD 20 Food Drive, (207) 472-3271
• Catholic Charities, (207) 493-8909
• Grace Interfaith Food Table, (207) 764-8584
• Adopt-A-Block of Aroostook, (207) 694-1006
• Caribou Bread of Life Soup Kitchen, (207) 450-5025
• M&M Ministries Soup Kitchen, (207) 764-0758
• Salvation Army (Houlton Division), (207) 532-2322
• Gotta Coffee, (207) 898-0645
• IHOP, Houlton, (207) 521-0290