To the Editor:
A livable wage is the level that is estimated for a household to maintain a basic needs budget and be self-sufficient from any benefits or assistance. Research done in 2006 by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center of the University of Maine indicates that there is a big gap between poverty levels and basic needs budgets (livable wages) in all of Maine’s counties and metropolitan areas (see website address below).
In my opinion, there is no more basic budget need than food. The Food Pantries of Lincoln County help to bridge this gap for many of our citizens.
In the Jan. 14 edition of The Lincoln County News, I submitted a commentary with the intention of educating Lincoln County about Martin Luther King [Jr.] Day being a day of service.
It was my hope that this would jumpstart an initiative for Lincoln County to feed Lincoln County. I would like to thank all of the people who called me and contacted me via the web to inform me of your participation in this service project. Kudos for doing your part. I am grateful for your generosity.
Although every donation helps, and every bit of effort counts and is appreciated, I feel we still have a long way to go to meet the goal that all citizens of Lincoln County have the opportunity to eat healthfully and live healthfully every day.
I believe there is power in numbers.
The Lincoln County Democratic Executive Committee has decided to use the power of our numbers and each member will bring a food collection to our monthly meeting. Afterward, one of our members will deliver the collection to a different pantry each month.
Take the initiative to start a food collection at work, social or political meeting, or simply among your friends and neighbors. Or, follow the lead of Wiscasset High School’s Student Council. They are sponsoring a “Pounds for Pennies” fundraiser to support the Help Yourself Food Pantry in Wiscasset.
Evidently, it only takes sixteen cents to purchase a pound of food for the food pantry. This is a very easy way to do your part to help those in need in Lincoln County.
Call ahead to find out guidelines surrounding appropriate times to drop off donations. Or, to make donating even easier, just send them a check. Thank you, in advance, for your ongoing support.
The following is a list of Lincoln County pantries:
Ecumenical Food Pantry, Second Congregational Church, 51 Main Street
Newcastle (563-3695); St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge Street, Wiscasset (882-7184); Waldoboro Food Pantry, Waldoboro United Methodist Church, 95 Friendship Street, Waldoboro (832-4743); United Methodist Church, South Side Road, New Harbor (677-3055); Boothbay Region Pantry, First Congregational Church, 1 Eastern Ave, Boothbay Harbor (633-4757); and, Jefferson Area Food Bank, First Baptist Church, (563-2090).
If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with delivering collected goods to any of the food pantries, please call 882-7490.
Visit: umaine.edu/MCSC/Research/2006PovertyRpt/06PovRpthtml/pov06_state.html).
Cyndy Dalton
Wiscasset
