Scammer impersonates Saco couple’s pantry created to help neighbors during shutdown

SACO, Maine — A government shutdown may have halted critical benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for thousands of Mainers, but it hasn’t stopped one local couple from stepping up to help.

Tyla Rogers and Jenn Garcia turned their front lawn in Saco into a makeshift food pantry.

"I woke [Jenn] up randomly Sunday morning and pretty much said this is what we’re going to do," Rogers told NEWS CENTER Maine. "We heard someone mention that they felt embarrassed to go to the food bank, and it kind of inspired us to do something at home. We live on a dead-end road where people can come and go as they please with no questions asked."

At first, the pop-up pantry was entirely self-funded. But word quickly spread. Neighbors and family began contributing food and house