OLD TOWN — Members of a University of Maine fraternity spent their Saturday morning giving back to their community.
“Even as little as an hour on the weekend is such a huge help, I mean…taking the time to come to places like this and helping out, because it is really for a great cause, and it’s just good to support your community,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon Scholarship Chair Nick Johnston.
The students spent their day at the Welcome to Housing home goods bank in Old Town. It’s a volunteer-run organization providing household essentials, including furniture, linens, medical supplies and appliances to those in need.
“Today we’ve been moving around different furniture, mattresses, really whatever they need. Getting stuff outside if they need it taken care of,” added SigEp Vice President of Recruitment Ben Nathan.
“When you’re coming out of homelessness or coming out of domestic violence…it’s a blessing to be able to see them get a bed. A chair, a kitchen table, dishes,” lead volunteer Jan Doucette said of Welcome to Housing’s mission.
With only a handful of staff and rooms full of donated goods, the team says they appreciate all the help they can get.
“I mean, they could’ve chose some other place to be, but they chose to come here. There’s plenty of other places they could’ve gone to volunteer…they’re a godsend for coming to help us,” added Welcome to Housing manager Sammi-Jo T.
Welcome to Housing is always accepting donations of gently used items, money and time. For more information, visit their website.
