In response to the federal government’s ongoing closure, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will not receive their food benefits for the month of November.

According to data from Maine DHHS, 283 households in our region will be impacted, including:

• Boothbay: 101 households

• Boothbay Harbor: 118 households

• Edgecomb: 51 households

• Southport: 13 households

This sudden disruption represents a serious and urgent food insecurity crisis in the Boothbay region.

To address this emerging need, the Community Resource Council (CRC) is convening an emergency meeting on Monday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor, Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor.

The CRC Board of Directors has unanimously approved the immediate purchase of $250 Hannaford grocery cards for each of the 283 affected households. Distribution of these cards will begin Nov. 10, ahead of the expected SNAP benefit release date (around Nov. 12), through the CRC’s Community Navigator, Hannah Corkum, who will work directly with impacted households.

Meeting objectives

The purpose of this emergency meeting is to bring together all local food assistance providers, social service providers and municipal leaders to:

• Assess the immediate impact of the SNAP disruption on local residents

• Coordinate food relief efforts and pool resources

• Identify gaps in food access and create collaborative solutions

• Develop a clear communication plan to keep the community informed

All organizations and municipalities involved in food distribution, assistance, and community support in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb are strongly encouraged to attend. Your voice and collaboration are critical to ensuring no neighbor is left behind during this crisis.

For more information, please contact: Community Resource Council; Holly B. Stover, Director; 207-633-6272; www.crcboothbay.org