#Maine - Local businesses poised to help residents during #SNAP funding pause

Maine Public | By Michael Livingston
Published October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM EDT

"Local businesses are stepping up across Maine to provide food and supplies for people who will go without SNAP benefits in November due to the government shutdown.

"Nearly 170,000 Mainers are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which provides an average of $572 per family every month.

"#SamsItalianFoods, which has multiple locations in the #LewistonAuburn area, plans to give away 10' cheese #pizzas to SNAP families with children in November.

"Store manager Trisha Cottrill said she's watched the generosity spread to other businesses ever since state officials announced the federal government warned them that it will not be distributing benefits last week.

" 'I opened my Facebook this morning and saw that #JustInTime is doing something. #NuttyNettiesCafe is also doing something,' Cotrill said. 'It's really great that the community, as a whole, is pitching in to help ease the burden on families.'

"Receiving a pizza at any Sam's location will require proof of I.D. with a SNAP or #EBTCard with the child present. If a parent wants to eat with their child, Sam's will offer a 10% discount.

"Over a third of all SNAP households have children, according to state data.

"Grocery stores like #MegunticookMarket in #CamdenME are also giving away free food and supplies.

"Owner Nishant Patel said he gave away dozens of bags of fresh produce over the weekend which included tomatoes, onions, bananas and bread."

[...]

"According to Maine DHHS, SNAP benefits already loaded onto EBT cards in October remain available for use to purchase food. Those who need additional resources are encouraged to call their local #FoodPantry or #Call211.

See below for additional businesses that have announced food assistance initiatives via social media:

- Taj Indian & Indo-Chinese Cuisine (#SouthPortlandME)
- Nutty Nellies Cafe (#AuburnME)
- Fresh off the Farm (#RockportME)
- Just-In-Time Recreation (#LewistonME)
- Family Time Dine and Play (#AuburnME)
- J&H Pizza (Auburn)
- Marvelous Macarons (Auburn)
- Bucksport Nutrition (#BucksportME)
- Provender Kitchen & Bar (#EllsworthME)

Read more:
https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2025-10-28/local-businesses-poised-to-help-residents-during-snap-funding-pause

#SNAPCuts #MutualAid #FoodInsecurity #FoodAssistance #FreeMeals #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers

Local businesses poised to help residents during SNAP funding pause

Federal food assistance for nearly 170,000 Mainers is likely to halt next week due to the government shutdown. Some local businesses are stepping in to provide free food and supplies to fill the gap.

WMEH

#NoKings2 - SATURDAY, OCT 18

"On #October18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has #NoKings, and The Power Belongs to the People.

Official as listed NO KINGS events in Maine & NH as of October 13th

#AuburnME: 12-2PM - Court St, Longley Bridge
#AugustaME: 1-3PM - Rt 202 Memorial Bridge
#BangorME: 12-2PM - Broadway Park
#BathME: 1-2PM - Sagadahoc Bridge
#BelfastME: 2-5PM - 34 Commerical St
#BlueHillME: 12-1PM – In front of Town Hall
#BridgtonME: 12-2PM - Shorey Park, Main St
#BrunswickME: 11:30-12:30PM - 191 Maine Street
#CalaisME: 11-12:30PM - Flatiron Park, North & Main St
#CastineME: 1-3PM – Castine Common, 86 Court St
#CherryfieldME: 12-2PM - Stewart Park, US Rt 1 & Main St
#ConwayNH: 12-2:00PM - 4 Corners, NH 16 & NH 153
#DexterME: 12-1:00PM - 2 Post Office Rd/1 Church St
#DoverFoxcroftME: 1-2PM - Main St Bridge
#EllsworthME: 12-1:30PM – City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza
#Farmington: 11-12:30PM - 196 Main St
#FreeportME: 8-11:00AM - 134 Main St
#HoultonME: 11-12:00PM – North St near Domino's/Walgreens
#LubecME: 11-12:00PM - Washington St & Main St
#MachiasME: 12-1PM - 16 O'Brien Ave, bottom of College Hill
#Ogunquit: 12-1PM – US Rt 1 in front of Post Office
#OxfordHills: 11-1:00PM - Fair St, Norway & Main St, #SouthParisME
#PortlandME: 1:30-3:00PM - Deering Oaks Park, State St & Park
#PortsmouthNH: 1-3PM - Market Sq
#PresqueIsleME: 10-11:30AM - 1 North St
#RocklandME: 12-1:00PM – Chapman Park, 294 Main St
#RumfordME: 12-1:00PM - Rumford Info Center, Rt 2
#SacoME: 10-12:00PM - Saco Transportation Center, 138 Main St
#SanfordME: 1-3:00PM - Sanford City Hall, 919 Main St
#SouthPortlandME: 11-12:00PM - Erskine Park, B'way & Waterman
#SouthwestHarborME: 11-12:30PM - 315 Main St
#VinalhavenME: 9-11AM - Bandstand, Main St
#WatervilleME: 10-12:00PM - March> UU Church, 69 Silver St
#WayneME: 9-10:00AM - Maine Rt 133 On the Bridge
#WellsME: 1:30-2:30PM - Wells Jr High School, 1470 Post Rd
#WiscassetME: 10-11:00AM - Rt 1 Wiscasset Bridge
#WolfeboroNH: 12-2PM - 153 S Main St & Center
#YarmouthME - 9-9:45AM (then Freeport) - Town Hall, 200 Main
#YorkME: 10-11:00AM - York Town Hall, 186 York St

Check for updates: PineTreeActivism.org
Submit events: ptactivism@gmail.com

#MaineResists #NHResists #ResistFascism #Resistance #NoCrowns
#NoThrones #October18th #MaineEvents #NHEvents

#NoKings2 - SATURDAY, OCT 18

"On #October18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has #NoKings, and The Power Belongs to the People.

Official as listed NO KINGS events in Maine & NH as of Sept 24.

#AuburnME: 12-2:00PM - Court St, Longley Bridge
#BangorME: 12-2:00PM - Broadway Park
#BathME: 1-2:00PM - Sagadahoc Bridge
#BelfastME: 2-5:00PM - 34 Commerical St, Belfast
#BridgtonME: 12-2:00PM - Shorey Park, Main St
#CalaisME: 11-12:30PM - Flatiron Park, North & Main St
#CherryfieldME: 12-2:00PM - Stewart Park, US Rt 1 & Main St
#Farmington: 11-12:30PM - 196 Main St
#FreeportME: 8-11:00AM - 134 Main St
#LubecME: 11-12:00PM - Washington St & Main St
#MachiasME: 12-1:00PM - 16 O'Brien Ave, bottom of College Hill
#OxfordHills: 11-1:00PM - Fair St, Norway & Main St, #SouthParisME
#PortlandME: 1:30-3:00PM - Deering Oaks Park, State St & Park
#PortsmouthNH: 1-3:00PM - Market Sq
#PresqueIsleME: 10-11:30AM - 1 North St
#SacoME: 10-12:00PM - Saco Transportation Center, 138 Main St
#SouthPortlandME: 11-12:00PM - Erskine Park, B'way & Waterman
#SouthwestHarborME: 11-12:30PM - 315 Main St
#VinalhavenME: 9-11AM - Bandstand, Main St
#WatervilleME: 10-12:00PM - March> UU Church, 69 Silver St
#WayneME: 9-10:00AM - Maine Rt 133 On the Bridge
#WellsME: 1:30-2:30PM - Wells Jr High School, 1470 Post Rd
#WiscassetME: 10-11:00AM - Rt 1 Wiscasset Bridge
#WolfeboroNH: 12-2:00PM - 153 S Main St & Center
#YorkME: 10-11:00AM - York Town Hall, 186 York St

Check for updates: PineTreeActivism.org
Submit events: ptactivism@gmail.com

#MaineResists #NHResists #ResistFascism #Resistance #NoCrowns #NoThrones #October18th #MaineEvents #NHEvents

ROUNDING UP ALL THOSE DANGEROUS CRIMINALS, EH?

#Maine pastor who founded #SouthPortland church detained by #ICE

According to ICE, he came into the U.S. in 2016 and allegedly overstayed his visa by nine years.

by Jacob Murphy, August 21, 2025

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — "A pastor who worked in #SouthPortlandME and #GorhamME is in custody after he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"According to an ICE spokesperson, #MichelTshimankinda came into the United States in March 2016 on a tourist visa and allegedly overstayed his visa by nine years. ICE officers arrested him on Aug. 13 during 'targeted enforcement operations.'

" 'Unlike the previous administration, President #Trump and Secretary #KristiNoem will not turn a blind eye to violations of U.S. immigration laws. They remain dedicated to prioritizing safety and protecting the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws,' said James Covington, a spokesperson for ICE.

"According to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, Tshimankinda is being held in #DoverNH, at the Strafford County Department of Corrections, and he was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Church leaders at #LifeChurch in Gorham said Tshimankinda had been coming to the church with his family for several years before he became a pastor.

" 'He sought asylum for his four kids and his wife and himself. And he's just a great man. Great man of God,' said Pastor Tom Pequinot with Life Church. 'He and his wife were very honest, very authentic, very open and shared a lot of their story to everybody.'

"Maine's Total Coverage asked ICE whether Tshimankinda applied for asylum, but the agency did not answer.

"Pequinot said Tshimankinda formed his own church, called #RestorationChurch, in South Portland, renting out space in the Promised Land World Outreach Center.

"Paul Roberts, a leader at Restoration Church, said he has been working closely with Tshimankinda since he started it in March.

" 'You leave the church service, and you're like, 'I really need to hear that,' you know? That's what got me going there,' Roberts said.

"When Tshimankinda was initially taken into custody, both Pequinot and Roberts were among the first people he called.

" 'The phone rang, and it was Michael and I said, 'Hey, Mike, how's it going?' And he started talking pretty fast, he was a little nervous. But, you know, I don't think he's been detained before. So we, we talked through it, we prayed,' Pequinot said.

"In his absence, Restoration Church will continue to hold services as previously scheduled. In the meantime, Roberts said the situation has been concerning for worshippers.

" 'He's been nothing but a godsend to the whole community. I mean, granted, the church is small, but what he did, he's taken in a #ChurchOfAllNations,' Roberts said. 'Because many of them are from a different country, it kind of, it brings a fear factor in for some of them because of the fact that, you know, it could happen to them.'

"Roberts said he wishes the situation could have been handled differently.

" 'You can tell he’s been doing it forever, and he loves the Lord with all his heart. Man, this guy I don't think will even hurt a fly,' he said. 'It doesn't make any sense to me. I understand the law, and I don't blame the ICE, because ICE is doing their job. They just do what the government tells them. [I was in] the military, I know exactly how it goes. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, but they detained him and, and for no reason at all. All they had to do is give him a court date.'

"Pequinot and Roberts both said that Tshimankinda's first day in court will be Aug. 28. In the meantime, his family has started a #GoFundMe and has raised more than $20,000."

Source:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-pastor-detained-by-ice-founded-a-church-in-south-portland/65851670

Link to GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-michel-home

#Maine #MaineNews #USPol #ResistICE #ICEKidnapping #ICESucks

MSN

An excellent resource from #EcoMaine!

#FoodWaste and #Composting

"Did you know that almost a third of what we throw away is leftover or spoiled food? If Maine is to achieve a 50% recycling rate, we need to recover our food waste, too – it’s worth the weight!

"ecomaine added food waste recycling to our sustainable waste management solutions in order to help Maine reach its recycling goal. We continue to build food waste recycling capacity in southern Maine, serving as a central collection point for grocery stores, institutions, and participating cities and towns.

"Collected food waste is transported to #ExeterME’s #AgriEnergy [#AgricycleEnergy] to be de-packaged and anaerobically digested to produce sustainable power, organic farm #fertilizer, and cow bedding for the #Maine family dairy farm #StonyvaleFarm. Any packaging removed from the food waste is delivered back to ecomaine to be burned for energy—keeping all of it out of our #landfills!

"By making #composting, anaerobic digestion, and food waste recycling so easy, we encourage our communities to dispose of their waste responsibly.

"For more on compost that’s 'Worth The Weight,' check out our informational pamphlet!

#BackyardComposting

"Backyard composting is one of the easiest ways to keep organic material out of the trash. It also has some other great advantages:

- It doesn’t weigh your trash down as much.
- It doesn’t get into ecomaine‘s waste-to-energy plant, making our combustion more damp and less efficient.
- It’s easy – and “grass-cycling” (leaving clippings on the lawn) is better for your grass!
- It saves Maine’s towns money on collection and hauling.
- And it saves YOU money on trash bags!

"There are no trucks or driving involved – no carbon emissions! You just walk it out to your bin, and that’s it.

"In the end, composting produces rich #soil for flower and vegetable #gardens – without paying for it (again) at the store.

Drop Off Locations

"If you’re looking for a compost drop-off location, instead of putting it in your backyard, here are a few… If you know of one that’s not here, let us know! (Some facilities may be for residents only; we advise calling ahead if you’re not sure.)

[I've found that transfer stations are usually residents only...]

#BridgtonME Transfer Station
118 Sandy Creek Rd, Bridgton, ME, USA

#BrownfieldME Transfer Station
Pequawket Trail, Brownfield, ME, USA

#CapeElizabethME Recycling Center
10 Cooper Dr, Cape Elizabeth, ME, USA

#EliotME Recycling Center
468 Dow Highway, Eliot, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Community Park
Winn Rd, Falmouth, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Transfer Station
100 Woods Rd, Falmouth, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Village Park
22 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth, ME

#FreeportME Recycling Center
100 Landfill Road, Freeport, ME, USA

#NorthYarmouthME Town Hall / #SamRistichNatureTrail, North Yarmouth, ME, USA

#PortlandME: #BoydStreet #CommunityGarden
2 Boyd Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #BrentwoodFarms Community Garden
Brentwood Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #Libbytown Community Garden
175 Douglass Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #NorthStreetCommunityGarden
195 North Street, Portland, ME

Portland: Parkside/King Middle School
In the back of the school near the Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot
92 Deering Avenue, Portland, ME

Portland: #PaysonPark Community Garden
Dropoff located on Front Street.
Front Street, Portland, Maine

Portland: #ReicheSchool
Dropoff is on the Clark Street side.
166 Brackett Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #Riverton Community Garden
45 Verrill Street, Portland, Maine

#SacoME Dept. of Public Works
15 Phillips Spring Road, Saco, ME

Saco Parks & Rec
75 Franklin St, Saco, ME, USA

#ScarboroughME Public Works Facility
20 Washington Avenue, Scarborough, ME, USA

#SouthPortlandME City Hall
25 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland Code Enforcement Office
496 Ocean Street, South Portland, ME

South Portland Golf Course Maint. Building
221 Westbrook Street, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland High School
637 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland Transfer Station
929 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland: Redback Community Center
95 Macarthur Circle West, South Portland, ME

#StandishME Transfer Station
150 Moody Rd, Standish, ME, USA

#SurryME: #ChickadeeCompost
Jill's Lane, Surry, Maine www.chickadeecompost.com

#VinalhavenME Transfer Station
178 Round the Island Rd, Vinalhaven, ME, USA

#YarmouthME Transfer Station
659 East Main Street, Yarmouth, ME, USA

Curbside Collection

And if you’re really not into the backyard thing, there are some companies who will pick it up for you!

- #WeCompostIt! (Greater Portland)
- #GarbageToGarden (Greater Portland)
- #ScrapDogs (Greater #CamdenME-#RockportME)
- #MrFoxComposting (Southern Maine & #NH)
- #ProjectEarth (Lincoln County)
- #ChickadeeCompost (All of #BlueHillME Peninsula, #DeerIsleME, #EllsworthME)
- #OneEarth Composting (#HampdenME)
- #AgriCycle Energy (Collection from businesses & organizations for anaerobic digestion – all over!)

Other Compost Resources:

Maine Department of Environmental Protection
207-592-0455

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
207-581-3188

Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine – Food Recovery
207-581-3195

Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association [#MOGFA]
207-568-4142

#WormMainea
207-831-3752

#MainelyWorm Bins

#UncleJimsWormFarm
1-800-373-0555

Source (with links):
https://www.ecomaine.org/food-waste-and-composting/

#SolarpunkSunday #Composting #WormBins #ReducingWaste
#Landfills #Maine #WasteToEnergy

Food Waste & Composting at our Facility - ecomaine

Information about composting and digestion of food and organic waste in ecomaine communities.

ecomaine

#ClimateChange - the gift that keeps on stinging!

Spike in #jellyfish sightings prompts coastal safety warnings across #Maine

#SouthernMaine communities advise beachgoers to stay alert with increased jellyfish sightings.

Published: 3:29 PM EDT June 24, 2025
Updated: 8:49 PM EDT June 24, 2025

MAINE, USA — "Coastal communities in southern Maine are warning beachgoers to stay alert after a rise in jellyfish sightings, including the presence of large #LionsManeJellyfish and #MoonJellies along the shoreline.

"Municipal officials and public safety departments have issued safety advisories in recent days for swimmers, families, and pet owners visiting local beaches.

" 'Today, you may notice our lifeguards flying a purple flag alongside the green flag,' the #OgunquitME Fire Department said in a social media post. 'This indicates the presence of marine life hazards—specifically an increase in lion’s mane and moon jellyfish in our local waters, as well as at other beaches along the Maine coast.'

"While most jellyfish encounters are not harmful, officials said there have been 'a few instances of jellyfish stings locally.' Lion’s mane jellyfish, in particular, can deliver painful stings that remain potent even after the jellyfish wash ashore.

"In #EliotME, police issued a warning after recent sightings near Dead Duck at the Eliot Boat Basin. The department urged caution, especially for families with dogs.

" 'Dogs are especially at risk,' the Eliot Police Department said. 'Curious sniffing or contact can lead to serious injury or illness.'

"Officials recommend keeping pets and young children away from the water’s edge if jellyfish are visible. In addition to avoiding contact, beachgoers are encouraged to report sightings to lifeguards.

"At #WillardBeach in #SouthPortlandME, a nearly five-foot-wide lion’s mane jellyfish was spotted over the weekend, according to the city’s parks and recreation department. Lifeguards have been trained to safely remove jellyfish that wash ashore using tools like shovels.

" 'If you see one, don’t touch it,' the city advised in a public post. 'They sting. Observe it—they’re interesting to watch and pretty too.'

"Those interested in helping marine researchers track #JellyfishSightings can report #observations through regional #CitizenScience platforms or agencies like the #GulfOfMaineResearchInstitute or #BigelowLaboratory for Ocean Sciences.

"In the meantime, officials are reminding visitors to enjoy Maine’s beaches safely and stay informed."

Source:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/spike-in-jellyfish-sightings-prompts-coastal-safety-warnings-across-southern-maine-beach-summer/97-b79da2cb-bfc0-49ed-8dcf-712d208c384e

#GlobalWarming #WarmingOceans #ClimateDiary #MaineClimateDiary #MarineLife #ChangingOceans #OceansAreLife #OceanTemperatures

Before you continue to YouTube

In #SouthPortlandME or #TopshamME? Check out #GoGoRefills!

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64 E Street
South Portland, ME 04106
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* closed Mondays

Farmer's Market
"We will be returning as a vendor for the Brunswick-Topsham Landtrust Farmer's Market at Crystal Springs Farm every Saturday from 8:30-12:30 starting May 2nd!"

FMI - https://www.gogorefill.com/

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairReuseRecycle
#ReUse #WorldRefillDay #DontRebuyJustRefill #ReFill #LessPlastic #RefillStations #RefillStationsMaine #ZeroWaste

Zero-waste & plastic-free refill shop in Maine

Your one-stop eco shop. Reducing plastic & helping you live sustainably. Want a zero-waste home? Or low-waste kitchen? We have all of the sustainable products sourced and tested for you.

GoGoRefill