Throughout Maine, agencies that provide food assistance to low-income people are

Taylor Smith

Source

Mainebiz

Date

1-9-2006

Pages

1, 14-16

Abstract

Throughout Maine, agencies that provide food assistance to low-income people are seeing a spike in demand. The Maine Center for Economic Policy estimates that last year one in three Mainers weren't earning enough to cover living costs, an amount of about $30,000, or double the federal poverty level. In recent years, Maine's labor market has shifted toward service industry jobs, where wages are stagnant. To afford a two-bedroom apartment in Portland, a household would need $37,320, or an hourly wage of almost $18. Proposed policies to address the problem include raising Maine's minimum wage, creating an earned-income tax credit for low-income workers, investment in economic development, and increasing access to higher education. With details on the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn.

Subjects

Food relief, Good Shepherd Food Bank Lewiston

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