Unable To Keep Up With Demand, Maine Charities May Not Survive 2020

BELFAST, Maine — Hundreds of drivers lined up in the Athena Health Care Systems parking lot for a free box of milk, eggs, turkey, ricotta cheese and fresh fruit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mass turnout for the distribution, which was organized by area nonprofits Waldo County Bounty, Belfast Soup Kitchen and Waldo Community Action Partners, illustrates how needs in the community have been amplified during the pandemic. But nonprofits around the state question whether their fundraising efforts will be able to keep pace with demand this year. Dorothy Havey, development director for Waldo CAP, said every year the agency serves about 1,200 families in need with food boxes.