By Eloge Willy Kaneza and Rachel Ndjondjo
On October 24, the Preble Street Food Security Hub opened its doors for a press conference that brought together advocates, elected officials, and community members. Rows of chairs were filled with concerned residents and journalists, while staff moved purposefully, preparing materials and visual aids. Speakers addressed the looming crisis: SNAP benefits for November would not be distributed due to federal inaction. The mood was urgent, yet resolute—an entire community focused on protecting its most vulnerable members.
For many residents, the EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card, which provides funds for food, is an essential safety net. And for some elderly residents or newcomers to the U.S., the announcement that there will be no federal food assistance in November has caused fear and despair.
“How will I make it through a whole month with nothing?” aksed Berth M., who recently arrived in Maine:
“Honestly, I don’t really know how I’m going to manage. Since I arrived here in Maine, life hasn’t been easy. I don’t have a job yet, and it’s thanks to the EBT card that I could eat a little each day. When I heard that there wouldn’t be benefits for November, my heart sank. I wondered: how will I make it through a whole month with nothing?”
Alone, with only a few friends from her church for support, Berth describes the daily weight of uncertainty:
“Sometimes, I tell myself I will try to eat less, or just drink tea when I have nothing to put in my mouth. At my age, it’s not easy to start a new life in a foreign country, especially when I can’t work yet. I pray every day that things will get better, that God will touch the hearts of those who can help.”
Despite the difficulties, she holds on to a glimmer of hope:
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“Even though it’s hard, I tell myself I must not give up. I believe God didn’t bring me here to suffer, so I keep the faith.”
The loneliness and anxiety of hunger
FiFi F., another resident, shares a similar story of hardship and isolation. For her, November represents constant worry:
“I don’t even know how I’m going to get through November. There won’t be money on my EBT card, and I’m not working, so I have no other way to get food. Every day becomes a calculation, a constant worry: what will I eat today? And tomorrow?”
With Thanksgiving approaching, her anxiety intensifies:
“It’s [Thanksgiving] a time when families gather to share a meal, to laugh and be together… but I won’t be able to. I will have to watch others celebrate while I wonder how I will survive. It’s not just physical hunger; it’s the feeling of loneliness, the weight on my heart, the emptiness that sets in when you don’t even have enough to prepare a simple meal.”
For FiFi, each day without food assistance is a struggle:
“Each day without help becomes heavier, harder to bear. We want to smile, feel normal, enjoy moments with others… but without money on the EBT card and without work, all of that feels out of reach. And still, we continue to hope that a small miracle or unexpected help will allow us to make it to the next month.”
A broader reality
Food insecurity affects nearly 12.5% of Maine residents, approximately 175,000 people. According to Terrence Miller, Advocacy Director at Preble Street, speaking at the press conference, the suspension of November SNAP benefits particularly endangers families who rely on this assistance to feed their children, elderly relatives, and themselves. Most beneficiary households include at least one working adult; more than half include a person with a disability; and 43% include a senior.
Local and national policymakers spoke to the crisis. Representative Chellie Pingree emphasized that the issue is not merely a government shutdown but an administrative choice about who receives aid. “With existing reserve funds, it would be possible to distribute November benefits without delay,” she said.
Heather Paquette, CEO of Good Shepherd Food Bank, warned that the absence of benefits would strain food banks: “Our partners are already reporting a 30 to 50% increase in people coming to their doors. Removing SNAP adds an unmanageable burden to our work. We are not equipped to serve [such a large] number of people.”
Anna Corson, Deputy Director of Full Plates, Full Potential, and representing Hunger Free Maine, highlighted SNAP’s dual role as a safety net and economic driver: “Every dollar spent through SNAP supports local businesses, farmers, and communities. Its absence threatens not just food security but also economic stability for households.”
A call to action
Organizations and state officials urged the federal government at the October 24 press conference to use existing reserve funds to cover missed benefits. Maine, they argued, cannot bear this burden alone, and food insecurity will worsen if no intervention occurs.
“Every person deserves to be fed and treated with dignity,” concluded Anna Corson. “The Preble Street Food Security Hub shows what is possible when we work together. But our elected officials must do their part to ensure that no one, especially children and seniors, goes hungry.”
For Berth, FiFi, and thousands of other Mainers, November will be a cruel test of resilience and community solidarity. Their voices serve as a stark reminder that hunger is not an abstract issue—it is a human emergency demanding immediate, concrete solutions.
