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Government Shutdown Resources

Government Shutdown Resources

If you or someone you know if impacted by the current government shutdown, and could use some help finding a local food resource, our partner agencies are ready to help.

Our full list of partner food pantries can be found here: https://www.gsfb.org/get-help/food-map/

If you are a GSFB Partner Agency, and are looking for information, it can be found here: https://www.gsfb.org/government-shutdown-partner-agency-resources/

If you receive SNAP (food supplement) benefits, and are unsure of how they will be impacted, see the message below from the State of Maine:

“Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the State of Maine has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to help meet your February nutrition needs.

The Food Supplement benefits you will receive on January 17th will include your entire February benefit. Because you received your February Food Supplement benefit in January, you will not receive another allotment in February. Please be mindful of this when you are planning your shopping for the month, and budget accordingly.”

If you need to apply for SNAP, you can still so that. Maine DHHS is still able to process SNAP applications and recertifications during the shutdown. For more information, visit the DHHS My Maine Connection site.

Eligibility for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals During the Shutdown 

Families can apply for free or reduced-price school meals at any point during the school year. This is a long-standing rule to reflect the many changes in families’ economic circumstances that can occur. This practice applies to households with furloughed employees. To apply, families should contact their school nutrition department. School districts also have the flexibility to date the eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals as of the date of the application (rather than the later date on which they approve the application) to provide more immediate support to families. If a school district has questions, they should contact their state child nutrition agency.