The town of Harpswell has approved the issuance of about $13,000 In property tax relief to 29 residents — by far the highest amount and number of recipients in recent years, according to a local official.
The increase comes as local food banks and other groups that provide for people in need have reported a spike in demand for their services. They attributed the increase to a combination of rising costs and disruptions in federal aid programs.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has been disrupted by the recent federal government shutdown, as has the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps people in need pay their winter heating bills.
In an Oct. 24 memo, Harpswell Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said 31 residents applied for property tax relief this year and all but two were approved. Applicants qualified for a total of more than $15,000 in aid, exceeding the $13,000 available. Payouts were prorated at an average of $449 per recipient.
The $13,012 in relief this year is the most since 2013, when the town granted $15,702 to 64 applicants. The 29 recipients are the most since 2016.
Local hunger relief organizations are reporting similar increases in demand for their services. Hannah Chatalbash, executive director of the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, said visits to its Brunswick food pantry were up 40% year-over-year in the third quarter.
“The cause isn’t clear — whether the increased demand is due to SNAP chaos, or the issue we’ve been watching for months around the cost of living in this area outpacing wages,” she said in an email. “Likely both causes are playing a role.”
Chatalbash said she expects the trend to continue into the winter, which is typically the busiest season for food pantries in Maine.
“Unfortunately, this need is going to be compounded by additional federal policy cuts to programs including rental assistance, heating assistance, healthcare, and more,” she said. “I worry that this is going to be a very difficult winter for a large portion of our community.”
Harpswell Aging at Home co-Chair Lili Ott said the town’s informal safety net has really come together this fall, with neighbors, nonprofits and businesses closing gaps left by rising costs and federal benefit disruptions.
Harpswell Aging at Home’s Meals in a Pinch program continues to deliver meals to residents who need them, while its three seasonal Sharing Tables for free produce “had a huge year with almost no food ever left at day’s end each Wednesday.”
Ott credited the no-questions-asked food pantry at the Town Office, run by the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, for making access easier. She said the Harpswell Santa Fund is buying meat for Harpswell Aging at Home cooks and staging fundraisers to support the food pantry, including a spaghetti lunch and auction at noon on Sunday, Nov. 16, at Merriconeag Grange.
Local businesses such as Iris Eats, Wild Oats and Flight Deck have stepped in with free meals, Ott said. Volunteers have been collecting food for Mid Coast Hunger Prevention in addition to their usual work delivering meals to Harpswell residents in need.
“What we see overall is a wonderful outpouring of community support from all corners of Harpswell and a true neighbor-helping-neighbor mindset here,” Ott said.
Local leaders are urging residents in need to utilize the following programs and resources:
General Assistance: Harpswell residents who can’t afford basic needs such as rent, food or fuel can apply for confidential General Assistance through the Town Office by calling 207-833-5771, Ext. 108. Applicants must be willing to show income and expenses for the past 30 days.
Heating assistance: Residents who don’t qualify for General Assistance but need help heating their homes can apply through the Town Office from Oct. 15 through April 15. Applications are available by calling 207-833-5771, Ext. 108, or visiting harpswell.maine.gov/assistance.
Property tax help: Homeowners who received Maine’s Property Tax Fairness Credit may apply for a supplemental town refund of up to $800 by Oct. 15 of each year. Applications go to the town administrator, with payments issued by Dec. 1 if funds are available.
Food support: The food pantry at the Town Office, run by the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, offers free groceries Monday through Friday during Town Office hours. No appointment is required. The program also has a soup kitchen and food pantry at 12 Tenney Way in Brunswick. Call 207-725-2716 or visit mchpp.org/find-food for details and hours of operation.
Help for seniors: Harpswell Aging at Home helps older adults and people with disabilities with home repairs, transportation, meals and more. Call 207-833-5771, Ext. 108, or 207-295-9088, or email hah@hah.community to request help.
Firewood assistance: Midcoast Wood Bank offers free firewood to households in Harpswell experiencing heating insecurity — typically up to 2 cords per season with limited delivery available. Call 207-833-5771, Ext. 108, or email recreation@town.harpswell.me.us for more information.
