FOOD SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Helping Families Put Food on the Table
COCAS connects individuals and families with groceries, meals, community food distributions, delivery assistance and nutrition-benefit resources.
Support may be provided by COCAS, ME Living or a verified community partner based on the applicant's location, household needs and available resources.
If you or a child has an immediate medical concern related to lack of food, dehydration, diabetes, pregnancy, infant feeding or another serious health condition, contact an appropriate healthcare or emergency service.
Who May Request Support
Food support for every household
Anyone experiencing food insecurity may submit a request. Select a category to begin.
Families With Children
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Pregnant and Postpartum Participants
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Infants and Young Children
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Older Adults
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Adults With Disabilities
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Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
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Domestic-Violence Survivors
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Veterans
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People Returning From Incarceration
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People Recovering From Illness
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Unemployed or Underemployed Households
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College and Trade-School Students
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Residents in Supportive or Transitional Housing
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Individuals Facing a Temporary Emergency
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Other Households Experiencing Food Insecurity
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Food-Support Categories
How we can help
COCAS coordinates many types of food and nutrition support. Availability varies by location and resources.
Emergency Groceries
Shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, protein, dairy, bread, household staples, hygiene supplies and ready-to-eat food for unhoused participants.
Food Pantry Referrals
Find verified pantries by location, day, time, appointment rules, delivery, identification and program type.
Mobile Food Distributions
Upcoming community distributions with registration, appointment windows, waitlists and check-in.
Home Food Delivery
Delivery for homebound seniors, people with disabilities, recovering participants, families without transportation and approved emergency cases.
Prepared Meals
Community meals, shelter meals, senior meals, recovery meals, reentry meals, holiday meals and hospital-discharge meal support.
Infant and Maternal Nutrition
Formula-resource navigation, infant food, prenatal and postpartum nutrition resources, WIC navigation and diaper-bank referral.
Senior Food Support
Senior pantry, home-delivered meals, congregate meals, grocery delivery, commodity-food programs and wellness-check delivery.
Homeless and Unsheltered Food Support
Ready-to-eat food, no-cook food boxes, bottled water, hygiene supplies, meal-site referrals and mobile outreach.
Dietary and Cultural Needs
Food allergies, diabetic-friendly, low-sodium, renal, soft-food, vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher and cultural preferences.
SNAP Navigation
State application navigation, document checklists, interview preparation, renewal reminders and fair-hearing information.
WIC Navigation
Local WIC agency locator, appointment preparation, document checklists and transportation to a WIC appointment.
School and Child Nutrition
School breakfast and lunch, summer meal sites, after-school meals, Head Start, weekend backpack programs and college pantries.
Food Vouchers and Gift Cards
Grocery gift cards, grocery-store vouchers, restaurant vouchers, meal cards and farmer's-market support.
Important Information
Specific foods, brands, quantities and delivery depend on inventory, location and household size. COCAS records dietary preferences and safety concerns but cannot guarantee every requested food type will be available.
Availability
Food availability, quantities, eligibility, delivery options and distribution schedules vary by location, household need, funding and program capacity. Submitting a request does not guarantee immediate assistance.
COCAS provides food-support screening, direct assistance when available, resource navigation and referrals. Food availability, program eligibility, quantities, schedules, transportation and delivery must be confirmed.
How It Works
From request to food on the table
- 1
Tell Us What Your Household Needs
Complete the secure request with your household, food and dietary needs.
- 2
Complete the Preliminary Food Screening
We screen for urgency, infant needs, dietary restrictions and safe contact.
- 3
Staff Reviews Location, Urgency and Resources
A coordinator reviews your location, urgency and available resources.
- 4
COCAS Coordinates Help or a Verified Referral
We arrange direct help, a verified pantry or distribution, or a benefits referral.
- 5
Receive Pickup, Delivery or Benefit Instructions
You receive confirmed pickup, delivery or benefit-navigation instructions.
What a request may result in
- Direct food-box appointment
- Community pantry referral
- Mobile-distribution registration
- Meal-site referral
- Home-delivery review
- Grocery-card review
- SNAP navigation
- WIC navigation
- Transportation assistance
- Waitlist
- Another resource referral
- Unable to fulfill
Submitting a request does not guarantee approval, inventory or delivery.
Take the Next Step
Get food support today
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