Diner Serves Free Meals to Kids Amid Shutdown
🍲❤️ Heartwarming help! Southwest Diner in Nevada serves free meals to kids hit by the government shutdown, lifting family worries one plate at a time. Community shines through tough times. Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/nevada-diner-offers-free-meals-kids-government-shutdown-127229916

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#FreeMeals #CommunityKindness #PositiveImpact #GoodNews

#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