As November begins, Eastern Area Agency on Aging wants to ensure that all older adults in our area are aware of local food assistance resources. With recent changes to SNAP and the upcoming holiday season, we understand that some older adults may need additional support. Below are links to food assistance programs by county.

• Hancock County
• Penobscot County
• Piscataquis County
• Washington County

We also invite older adults to enjoy a hot meal at one of our Community Cafes. Advance registration is required. Click here to find a Community Cafe near you.

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— By Spoonful Bloggers, University of Maine Cooperative Extension: When circumstances create financial or food insecurity, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has resources that individuals and organizations may find helpful. Check out Food Support Updates for a list of UMaine Extension publications and websites, as well as a few external resources that may be helpful as you or your organization work to meet the needs of Mainers.  A helpful tip to keep in mind: If you are planning a food drive, contact the food pantry or organization first to ask what items they need. An organization may prefer a financial donation because they can often purchase food in bulk at a discount, which allows them to serve more people.

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To help Downeast communities during the pause to SNAP benefits, Maine Seacoast Mission will offer “Soup’s On!,” a daily lunch of soup and bread. Beginning November 4 and running through December 19, a meal will be served every Tuesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Mission’s food pantry located at 6 Weald Bethel Lane in Cherryfield.  Learn more.

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Following Governor Mills’ announcement of new funding to expand food access for Mainers impacted by the temporary suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Eastern Area Agency on Aging is preparing to help distribute additional meals to older adults and adults with disabilities in our region. We’re evaluating how these meals will be distributed, and we’ll share more information as soon as it becomes available next week. In the meantime, please note that meals will be for SNAP recipients who are either age 60+ or 18+ with a disability. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates, and thank you for your support and patience as we work to meet this urgent need.

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During this season of gratitude, thanks, and appreciation we’ll delve into how those show up in your business.  How do you express appreciation towards customers, vendors, employees? How do customers, staff, or community members express their thanks to you?  There are countless ways to cultivate a company culture rooted in expressing appreciation – whether it’s launching a loyalty or rewards program, highlighting customers on social media, employee recognition, hosting exclusive events, giving referrals, or sending personalized thank-you notes.  How do customers, employees, vendors, colleagues express their appreciation of you and your business?  Join us to create a circle of THANKS for your business, yourself, and one another on November 7th, 8-9 am. Register here.

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Navigating Together: Community Talks

In response to the recent cuts and changes to SNAP Benefits and Medicare Advantage plans, Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging will be hosting two conversational spaces in November for people across the region to come together and discuss the ways their communities are responding. Please join us for these talks as we navigate together and gather from others experiences.

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Maine Seacoast Mission Opens Christmas Gift Sign-Up

If you or someone you know needs assistance in placing presents under the tree this year, the Mission offers gifts to families with children under 18. Starting on November 1, families are invited to sign up for the Christmas Program on the Mission’s website. Since 1905, Maine Seacoast Mission has helped generations of children and families have a merry Christmas through its Christmas Program.  The Christmas Program serves residents of Addison, Beals Island, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois, Harrington, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Machias, Milbridge, Steuben, Mount Desert Island towns, and islands served by the Sunbeam, and families that EdGE participate in the EdGE program. Starting in late October, the Mission turns part of its Cherryfield campus into “Santa’s Workshop” where elves—a.k.a. Mission volunteers—receive donated items, organize presents for shopping, and stage a gift-wrapping station. Once a family’s request is received, Mission staff arrange a day for parents and guardians to shop for presents. Alternatively, parents and guardians can pick up or have delivered pre-selected items that match requests as best as possible. In addition to toys, children can receive books, clothing, other small items, and toiletries. Based on age and preference, families receive several gifts for each child. Gifts can either be left unwrapped or wrapped in the Mission’s iconic white parchment paper tied with red string. Families can sign up to shop or receive gifts from the Christmas Program here  or contact Community Engagement Coordinator Kaysie Logan at klogan@seacoastmission.org or (207) 598-6799.  The 2025 Christmas Program wish list and Amazon wish list which are now available.  Monetary donations can also be made. These donations help fulfill specific requests. Gifts and cards can be mailed to: Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program, PO Box 428, 6 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622
Any items should be sent to the Mission before Monday, December 2.   Checks should be addressed to: Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program, P.O. Box 600, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662.