The state of Maine is providing $1 million to hunger relief programs as the political impasse in Washington threatens funding for a federal food assistance program used by tens of millions of Americans.

Gov. Janet Mills announced Wednesday that she will provide $1 million from her office's contingency account while the John T. Gorman Foundation will chip in an additional $250,000.

Just over half of that money will flow to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, which supports food pantries and anti-hunger programs around the state. The remaining $600,000 will go to the statewide association for agencies on aging, AgeWise Maine, so that the local agencies can offer additional food through community dining programs, Meals on Wheels and other programs.

Mills said in a statement that "when the federal

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