The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) is partnering with local food pantries to collect much-needed food and household items, part of a new Outreach Initiative started this month.

LCDC will collect food and other items for a different local food pantry each month, focusing on specific products requested by each organization. 

There are eight food pantries in Lincoln County, in Alna, Boothbay, Jefferson, Newcastle, New Harbor, Waldoboro, Whitefield and Wiscasset. 

Although food insecurity has improved across Maine since 2019, the number of households that lack access to adequate and consistent nutritional food remains high, at about 14 percent. Maine ranks ninth in the nation for food insecurity and 1 in 5 children and 16% of seniors don’t have reliable access to food.

In 2019, just under 20 percent of children in Lincoln County were food insecure, an estimated 32 percent of whom were thought to be ineligible for federal nutrition programs.The county’s food pantries often fill that gap. 

"The Lincoln County Democrats are focused on activities that support our local community,” said Jan John, a resident of Round Pond and leader of the LCDC Outreach Initiative. “We are pleased that we will be able to coordinate with Healthy Lincoln County to provide food items for the pantries in Lincoln County.”

For August, LCDC is collecting items for the Newcastle food pantry. Requested items include:

• Jams and jellies

• Applesauce and other fruit/vegetable pouches that do not require refrigeration

• Raisins and other dried fruit

• Pet food

• Coffee

• Rice and pasta

• Personal care items

• Laundry detergent and cleaning products

Items can be dropped off at the LCDC office at 3 Hall Street in Newcastle, which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. 

For more information, please contact Jan John at 207-529-6502 or call the LCDC office at 207-563-1099.