With food insecurity on the rise, First County Food Pantry thankful to all who help

ALFRED, Maine –  First County Food Pantry volunteers distributed Thanksgiving food baskets –  including turkey, vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and more  – to 715 families, representing about 2,145 people, over the three days leading up to what is considered by many as America’s most treasured holiday.

The team of volunteers came in early on those days and selected foods for each basket, ferried grocery carts heaped high with frozen turkeys to the assembly line and then handed them off to awaiting customers.

In all, the Thanksgiving distribution numbers at the pantry, at the intersection of Swett’s Bridge Road and Route 4 in Alfred, were up from the prior year, where 618 families representing  about 1,854 people stopped by in 2024 to pick up a food basket.

Pantry coordinator Rob Boyd said he was thankful the distribution went well, and he’s appreciative of all those involved.

“We're thankful for all those who stepped up to help – those who donated food or wrote a check,  including small businesses and large corporations, individuals and families,” he said.

“We're thankful for all of our dedicated volunteers who sorted food, packed food baskets, directed traffic and so much more. There is a lot of need in York County and all of you helped make Thanksgiving better for 715 families.”

While federal SNAP funds were released prior to the holiday despite earlier uncertainty,  and the federal government shutdown that had halted paychecks for federal employees  – including those still working  – ended about 10 days before the distribution, those who keep an eye on need were expecting an increase in demand for food at pantries across Maine this season.

The state’s 2024 annual report Ending Hunger, released in February, noted an estimated 300 food pantries that report monthly to Good Shepherd Food Bank found marked increases from 2022, where 36,931 households were served monthly, to 40,763 in 2023 and to 50,383 in 2024.

According to the state report, one in eight people, or 13.1 percent, in Maine live in households that struggle to afford enough food. Among children in Maine, one in five, or 18.7 percent, live in food insecure households – the highest rate of child food insecurity in New England, according to  the Ending Hunger report.

York County’s overall individual food insecurity rate was 12.3 percent, or about 26,400 people in 2023 – the latest figures available in the Ending Hunger report, while the child food insecurity rate was 18.2 percent –  about 7,070 children. Only Cumberland County had a lower rate – 15.8 percent  for child food insecurity – though that county’s larger population meant 8,820 kids were food insecure there. Cumberland County’s 11.6 percent overall figure translated to 35,350 people being food insecure.

Back at the pantry, while there were lulls in the action at times during the three day distribution, on the first day, some folks arrived early for the drive-thru event – more than one car was in line at 6:45 a.m. for the 8 a.m. opening.

Volunteer Rachel Paquet lined up cardboard boxes on a conveyer and began collecting stuffing, canned vegetables and other foodstuffs to go with the turkeys.

“I’ve volunteered a long time, at least 20 years,” she said, bending to her task.

“I enjoy it,” said Shawn Hubbard of Shapleigh as he transferred frozen turkeys from the freezers. He volunteers his time twice a week during regular pantry days (Tuesdays and Fridays, open to the public noon to 3), but came in especially for the Thanksgiving distribution, as all the volunteers did.

“I enjoy what I do; I’m always here,”  said Sheila Cote of Sanford.

Sandy Lyle, who has been a regular volunteer, recently became a reserve employee, filling in when the coordinator is away and during busy times.

At times, Lyle observed, there are new faces among those who stop by for food during the regular weekly hours or the Thanksgiving distribution. Sometimes, people share their stories.

“We have people from all walks of life come through here,” she said as she filled a bag with Thanksgiving dinner staples.

Rachel Paquet of Lyman, left,  and Shela Cote of Sanford, right, were among volunteers who packed Thanksgiving food baskets that included a turkey and all the fixings at First County Food Pantry in Alfred in the leadup to the 2025 holiday. In all, baskets were passed out to 715 families representing about 2,145 people, up from 618 families –  or about 1,854 people in 2024.