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Hunger Free America says more people in the United States are dealing with food insecurity issues due to higher grocery prices and the rollback of social service programs.According to the nonprofit organization’s latest report, there are 98,287 Mainers facing hunger issues. This marks a 47.1% increase from 2021.With food insecurity on the rise, volunteers in Maine are doing their best to help those in need this holiday season.The South Portland Food Cupboard distributed food on Christmas Eve, as Tuesday is one of its two weekly distribution days.Some people were waiting in their cars at 4:30 a.m., five hours before the South Portland Food Cupboard opened its food tent for the day. Volunteers with the local nonprofit said they are seeing more families each week.”We had ninety-something a couple of weeks ago and that was really a record,” said Gail Prince.”It’s kind of sad that in this country people need to line up on a day like today to get free food,” said Margaret Hawkins.Dwayne Hopkins, executive director of the Food Cupboard, said many people are just a paycheck away from needing a little help.He said the stigma associated with needing help is not as bad as it used to be, so it makes it easier for everyday folks to come and not feel like they’re being judged.”It becomes more and more and more difficult when people have to choose between food and heat, between giving gifts or not giving gifts, between medicines and not getting those medicines. It makes it extraordinarily difficult,” Hopkins said.Volunteers at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church were also busy on Christmas Eve, as they prepared for their community dinner on Christmas Day. The church expects 300 guests to sit down to eat while another 50 people will opt for take-out meals.Joy Knight has led the church’s Christmas dinner effort for 18 years and said people from all walks of life are welcome to feast on chicken and gravy, macaroni and cheese, pies and other goodies.”Nobody needs to be alone on Christmas Day. They can come here,” Knight said.Knight has a distinct memory from 15 years ago, when she noticed a little girl loving the bread that was served.”I went over and got a loaf of bread and put a bow on it and brought it over to her and said: ‘This is for you,’ meaning a gift to bring home,” Knight said. “Then she turned to her mother and said: ‘We will have something to eat tonight.’ That still brings tears to my eyes now.”The community Christmas meal at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, which is at 810 Main St. in downtown Westbrook, will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.Related content: