Group develops new ministry

HERMON — Samaritan Inc., a non-profit orgnization in Hermon, is expanding its activities.

The organization has added a new ministry called Bread of Life, an evangelizing team that hopes “to feed the people first with word, then with the food,” according to president Bessie Merrill.

The minister of Bread of Life is Harold Merrill. Bessie Merrill travels to churches with him to answer questions as part of the team.

Bread of Life will preach at:

Levant Baptist Church, 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14.

First Assembly of God, Finson Road, Bangor, 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.

“We would like to encourage pastors in the state of Maine to call us, in the areas where we are not serving at present, so we can share our vision for the needs in their own communities,” Bessie Merrill said.

The other ministry of Samaritan Inc. is Food-4-U, which now has a warehouse located at Hermon Corners. “Currently, there are 31,000 children going to bed hungry in our own state of Maine,” Merrill said, “plus many more elderly adults, who have to take a choice of food, medicine or heat for the winter months.”

Food-4-U distributes surplus food and clothing to people who are not able to make use of soup kitchens and food pantries, she said. No salaries are paid in the ministry, Merrill said, and all the money received is used to distribute food. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Towns served are: Charleston, Kenduskeag, East Corinth, Orrington, Old Town, Glenburn, Plymouth, Bradford, Dixmont, Corinna, Stetson, Etna, Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Veazie, Hermon, Levant, Exeter, Hudson and Carmel.

A craft fair to benefit the ministry will be held Nov. 27-28 at the Bangor Mall, Merrill said.