October 24, 2025 Ali Goodwin

Supporting Our Community During the Government Shutdown

Supporting Our Local and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Community During the Government Shutdown

 

As many of you know, the Government Shutdown is affecting Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY), Pease, and many local Federal Employees. They are either furloughed or working without pay indefinitely. This creates stress, uncertainty, and logistical challenges for many of our local workers, families, and supporting businesses. We want to provide a helpful resource and community connection point as we navigate this time together.

 

 

Why This Matters

PNSY, Pease and other Federal programs are major employers in our region; disruptions here ripple out into local businesses, service providers, families, and neighborhoods. A shutdown can mean delayed paychecks, reduced hours, changes in scheduling, increased commuting or childcare loads, and general stress on households and unnecessary hardships. Our community thrives when we pull together – neighbors helping neighbors, local businesses stepping up, and services being ready for the extra demand.

 

 

Community Support & Services During the Government Shutdown

Below is a comprehensive list of local food pantries, community organizations, businesses offering discounts, and financial assistance programs available to help anyone in our community during this time. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the Haven Hearts Hotline at (800) 626-5049— the line is open and available to anyone in need of assistance, resources, or connection.
Additional Support Services can be found at Mainspring Collective, a Social Services HUB located at 22 Shapleigh Rd., Kittery, ME. These services are available to everyone, including the general public.
General Line: 207-439-6376
Intake Line: 207-439-0246 

📍THE MOST UPDATED LIST can be found on our Google Sheet: Click Here.

 

 

 

🍎 Food Pantries

24-Hour food access can be accessed and donated to at both the Seacoast Fridge located at the Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road Kittery, ME, and the Portsmouth Fridge at 80 Manor Drive, Portsmouth, NH

 

 

Name & Address Phone Website Notes
York County Shelter Programs – 5 Swetts Bridge Rd, Alfred 207-324-1127 x103 Visit Site
North Berwick Food Pantry – 77 High St, North Berwick 207-606-4581 Visit Site
Biddeford Food Pantry – 162 Elm St, Biddeford 207-282-4771 Visit Site
Waterboro Community Pantry – 26 Townhouse Rd, East Waterboro 207-247-7789 Facebook
Neighbors Food Pantry – 912 Harold L. Dow Hwy, Eliot 207-748-1248 Visit Site
Hope of Hope Food Pantry – 25 Sawmill Hill Rd, Eliot 207-698-9944 Visit Site
Stay@Home – 46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk 207-985-1446 Visit Site Animal Welfare
Community Outreach Services – 19 Park St, Kennebunk 207-985-3844 Visit Site
Footprints Food Pantry – 22 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery 207-439-4673 Facebook Pet Food, Too!
Food Pantry & Clothing Closet – 302 Sokokis Ave, Limington 207-793-2018 Visit Site
Old Orchard Beach UM Church Food Pantry – 6 Fountain Ave, Old Orchard Beach 207-776-2633 Visit Site
Food Closet – 66 North Ave, Sanford 207-324-2420 Visit Site
South Berwick Community Pantry – 47 Ross St, South Berwick 207-651-5171 Visit Site
South Portland Food Cupboard – 130 Thadeus St, South Portland 207-874-0379 Visit Site
Standish Food Pantry – 410 Northeast Rd, Standish 207-358-0359 Visit Site
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Food Pantry – 236 Eldridge Rd, Wells 207-646-5605 Facebook
York Community Service Association – 855 US Route One, York
Gather, 124 Heritage Ave, Unit 3, Portsmouth, NH
207-363-5504
603-436-0641
Visit Site
Visit Site
 

 

🏡 Other Organizations

Name & Address Phone Website Services
I Got Bridged – 160 Court St #105, Portsmouth 866-274-3433 Visit Site Transportation, food insecurity, homelessness, yard cleanup, shoveling
York County Community Action – 6 Spruce St, Sanford 207-324-5762 Visit Site Transportation, childcare, housing support
Mainspring – 22 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery 207-439-6376 Visit Site Food insecurity, fuel assistance, housing

💰 Local Merchants Offering Discounts

Business Location Website Offer
Badwolfe Butcher & Deli 11 Sullivan St #101, Berwick Facebook 30% off showcase items and veggies for PSNY/Federal Workers
Moe’s Italian Sandwiches 8 Main St #103, Berwick Facebook 25% off (Berwick location only) for for PSNY/Federal Workers
Badger’s Island Pizza 3 Island Ave, Kittery Facebook 25% off all shipyard deliveries (no tips accepted)
Dave’s Maine Cafe 439 US Route 1, Kittery Facebook 20% off between 3–5 PM for PSNY/Federal Workers
The Corner Pub 4 Wallingford Sq, Kittery Facebook 25% off Monday–Friday all day for PSNY/Federal Workers
Rudder’s Public House 70 Wallingford Sq, Kittery Facebook $10 Shipyard Specials until shutdown ends for PSNY/Federal Workers
The Rusty Razor Barber Shop 16A Shapleigh Rd, Kittery Facebook $10 off services for PSNY/Federal Workers
The Farm Bar & Grill 25A Portland Ave, Dover Facebook Dine-In BOGO for PSNY/Federal Workers
Tumbledown Farm to Fork 21 Meadow St, Sanbornville Facebook Dine-In BOGO for PSNY/Federal Workers
The Booktenders 436 Rt 1, York Facebook 20% discount & relief drive for PSNY/Federal Workers

💵 Financial Support

Institution Phone Website Details
Atlantic Federal Credit Union 800-834-0432 Facebook Assistance for temporary income loss for PSNY/Federal Workers
Citizen’s Bank 888-438-9888 Visit Site Temporary income loss assistance for PSNY/Federal Workers
cPort Credit Union 800-464-0253 Visit Site Interest-free loans up to $6,000/month for PSNY/Federal Workers
Franklin Savings Bank 800-339-6573 Visit Site Interest-free loans up to $6,000/month for PSNY/Federal Workers
Holy Rosary Credit Union 603-332-6840 Visit Site Temporary income loss assistance for PSNY/Federal Workers
Kennebunk Savings Bank 800-339-6573 Visit Site Interest-free loans up to $6,000/month for PSNY/Federal Workers
Maine Family Federal Credit Union 207-783-2071 Visit Site Interest-free loans up to $6,000/month for PSNY/Federal Workers
Navy Federal Credit Union 888-842-6328 Visit Site Interest-free loans up to $6,000/month for PSNY/Federal Workers
Thrift Savings Plan Hardship Withdrawal Visit Site Hardship in-service withdrawal from TSP accounts for PSNY/Federal Workers
USAA’s Government Shutdown Program Visit Site No-interest loans and payment relief ($500–$6,000) for PSNY/Federal Workers

 

Our Haven Hearts Community Hotline – You Are Not Alone

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or simply want someone to talk to, please reach out to our community support line:

🧡 Haven Hearts Hotline: (800) 626-5049 🧡

The line is open and available for anyone from the community (employees, contractors, families, local businesses) who needs assistance, information, or just a listening ear.

 

 

 

A Call to Local Businesses & Service Providers

If your business or service is offering a discount, special rate, flexible terms, or any support for our local community during this Government shutdown, pleasesend us a message with the details. We will add you to our list, ensuring that PNSY and Federal workers and families know you are there to help.

 

Please include:

  • Business/Service name
  • Offer or discount details
  • Contact information (email/phone)
  • Any eligibility criteria (if the offer is limited to PNSY employees/families)
  • Time-period the offer covers

We’ll compile and publish updates regularly to ensure the list stays current.

 

 

Looking Ahead – Let’s Stay Connected

  • – Keep an eye on this page and our Facebook Page for updates and additions to the list of offers.
  • – Share this post with anyone you know who may be affected by the shutdown (coworkers, family members, neighbors).
  • – If you have suggestions for other resources (e.g., childcare, transportation, local lending libraries, food support) send them our way.
  • – Remember: we’re all in this together. Being part of a supportive network makes the difference.

 

Thank you for being part of this community, and for stepping up in whatever way you can. If you’re reading this and wondering how you can help (even if you’re not directly impacted), please consider:

  • – Sharing this post with your network
  • – Supporting a local business offering a special deal
  • – Reaching out to someone you know who may be stressed or uncertain during this period

Together, we’ll weather this period of shutdown and come out stronger on the other side!

 

 

With Our Hands on Our Haven Hearts,
Ali, Carole, Jen, Melissa, Jenn, Kirbie, Nicole, Cassie, Lisa, Paul and Noj
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!!

Our locations

Get in touch with us! 207-438-8311