How you can help the displaced millworkers

Brewer area:

. Food can be dropped off at the Brewer Recreation Department (Brewer Auditorium), Wilson Street.

. A food bank for displaced workers will be open 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the Greater Bangor Area Labor Council hall, 20 Ayer St. Sponsored by PACE Local No. 1-0403.

. To donate for fuel assistance, mail checks made payable to PACE Local 1-0403, in care of City of Brewer, 80 N. Main St., Brewer, ME 04412.

. Labor Department’s Rapid Response team to talk about job retraining, 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and Tuesday, Feb. 17. All meetings at Jeff’s Catering.

Lincoln area:

. Informational meetings on health care and retirement benefits, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Lincoln. Employee buyout also will be discussed.

. Labor Department’s Rapid Response team to talk about job retraining, 9 a.m. Tuesday for workers with last names A-F, and 1 p.m. Tuesday for workers with last names G-L. Also, 9 a.m. Wednesday for workers with last names M-R, and 1 p.m. Wednesday for workers with last names S-Z. All meetings at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s staff will conduct constituent hours for workers to discuss the mill closures 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, council chambers, Lincoln town office building, 63 Main St.

. Rep. Michael Michaud’s staff will conduct constituent hours for workers to discuss the mill closures 10 a.m. to noon Monday in Room 2, Northern Penobscot Tech Region II, 35 W. Broadway, Lincoln.

. St. Mary’s Food Cupboard is open 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday in the basement of the Ballard Hill Community Center. The food cupboard is open for displaced workers according to the first letter of their last names:

. Mondays – names beginning with the letters A-F.

. Wednesdays – names beginning with the letters G-L.

. Thursdays – names beginning with the letters M-R.

. Fridays – names beginning with the letters S-Z.

The food cupboard is still open 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays for anyone else who needs food assistance. For information, call 794-3510 or 794-8148.

. Food assistance is available 7-11 a.m. Thursdays from the food pantry at the Howland United Methodist Church. For information, call 732-3589.

. Food assistance is available 10-11 a.m. Mondays from the food pantry at the Chester Baptist Church on Route 116. For information, call 794-2541.

. Fuel assistance is available by calling Pastor Tim Shaw at the Community Evangel Temple in Lincoln at 794-6181. Donations can be made out to “LP&P Fuel Assistance” in care of Machias Savings Bank, 29 Main St. Lincoln, ME 04457.

Key phone numbers:

. Displaced workers can obtain information about unemployment benefits by calling 1-800-593-7660.

. Displaced workers can obtain information about the MaineCare health care program by calling 1-800-432-7825.