Mainspring celebrates impact on fighting hunger, poverty in Seacoast

SeacoastSpecial to Seacoastonline

KITTERY, Maine — Supporters, staff and leaders of Mainspring Collective recently gathered to celebrate seven months of collaboration, growth and impact. The social services hub, which opened its doors earlier this year, marked the milestone with an event filled with gratitude, reflection, and a look ahead to the future. Mainspring is a centralized social services hub that provides individuals and families with comprehensive, coordinated care and streamlined access to resources and support that opened last February.

Mainspring Co-founder Megan Shapiro-Ross set the tone of the evening when she recounted to the group what it was like being a new teacher at age 25 in Farmington, New Hampshire and witnessing one of her young students lick his fingers to collect the crumbs from his classmate’s snack.

“That moment changed me. It was the first time I truly saw what it meant for someone to be hungry,”  Shapiro-Ross told the large crowd of supporters.

As the longtime Executive Director of Footprints Food Pantry, Shapiro-Ross has devoted her career to helping feed individuals living with food insecurity, but she said systemic changes need to happen to truly shift the cycle of poverty.

Five years ago, Shapiro-Ross sat down with Fair Tide Housing Executive Director Emily Flinkstrom, and together they hatched a plan to change the way hunger, housing and poverty are addressed in southern Maine. The two nonprofit leaders built a collaboration with the community to raise over $6 million to make Mainspring a reality.

Flinkstrom highlighted the successes of Mainspring's first seven months.

"In that time, so much has happened — more than we even anticipated — and all of it points to one clear truth: this model works," she said. "If you had a chance to walk through our Impact Journey tonight, you’ve seen the numbers. They tell a compelling story of the needs we are collectively addressing and the success of our pilot year so far."

Shapiro-Ross acknowledged the remarkable support the project has received from the community.

“When we launched Mainspring’s capital campaign, we asked you to do more than help us open a new building. We asked you to help us redefine our community’s ethic of care — to build a new way of caring for one another. And you said yes. You invested your resources, your belief, and your trust. And now, together, we are all witnessing the power of what’s possible when a community comes together.” 

Flinkstrom, who shared her enthusiasm about new software that tracks outcomes, explained that while the data is impressive, it's the human moments that truly stand out.

“It’s the less tangible outcomes — the sigh of relief, the quiet ‘thank you,’ the spark of hope — that remind me every day this is working. People walk in unsure, deflated, maybe even embarrassed. But when they leave, they stand taller. They walk out with hope, a plan, and the knowledge that they are not alone. It’s working.”

Approximately 10% of Seacoast residents live below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census and nearly 9% of York County residents are food insecure, according to Feeding America. Those statistics are evident in the number of people being served at Footprints Market with a 67% increase in households served in the last year.

Meantime, Maine faces a historic housing crisis; according to Maine Housing, York County needs to build more than 10,000 units by 2030 to address the shortage.

The Mainspring model addresses both issues by having multiple organizations working collaboratively under one roof, with a centralized intake process and shared data. It’s an approach that Mainspring leaders say makes it easier for struggling residents to access the services they need and removes common barriers, including transportation and childcare. Says Shapiro-Ross, “The Mainspring model focuses on the long-term solution of helping households navigate the pathway out of poverty, while reducing overhead costs and increasing efficiencies for partner organizations. There are soon to be 15 agencies and nonprofit organizations working together at Mainspring.” 

Maine state Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, spoke about the importance of initiatives like Mainspring when federal program cuts are decimating the social services safety net. “Mainspring meets the moment. We know the systems and services we rely on are facing unprecedented challenges, but I believe that, together, we can overcome them. We have to. And Mainspring is a perfect example of how communities can come together, build a new vision, and take care of each other when it matters most.”

Billy Shore, founder of Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry Campaign, has led the fight against hunger for decades. He took the stage to discuss the power of community in making lasting change

“This is a critical moment in the fight to ensure that every child, every family, has the food and the support they need to thrive,” Shore said. “And what we see happening here at Mainspring is exactly the kind of community-driven, innovative work that is going to change lives for generations to come.”

Looking ahead: Expanding vision of Mainspring

As the celebration turned to the future, Shapiro-Ross spoke about the exciting growth ahead for Mainspring. “We’re excited to share that we will soon be adding three new team members, giving us the capacity to fully implement the Mainspring model and position us for the growth ahead.”

Flinkstrom concluded with a heartfelt call for continued support: “You didn’t just help us raise $6.3 million. You sparked a movement. You changed a system. You changed lives for generations to come. And we are deeply honored to carry that movement forward with you.”