Bangor shelter receives UPS grant for pavement

BANGOR – The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter recently received a grant of $5,000 from the UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of United Parcel Service. The grant will be used to repave the shelter’s parking lot. Paving will occur late this summer after work on the building’s third floor transforms vacant space into six efficiency apartments for chronically homeless adults.

Paving a parking lot is a significant activity for the shelter. Without the UPS grant, funds would not be available for the project. The lot is crumbling and poses a hazard for staff, volunteers and the public, according to the shelter’s head.

“This really matters,” said Dennis Marble, the shelter’s executive director. “The UPS Foundation grant will provide real improvement to the condition and safety of the property.”

The grant continues the foundation’s support of the shelter. Several years ago, the foundation awarded the shelter $25,000 which was used for major renovations – including a walk-in cooler for donated perishables.

Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, the UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its support will clearly impact social issues.

“We’re lucky to benefit from both the foundation and the historic support of our local UPS facility,” Marble said.

Employees at the Brewer UPS facility have donated hundreds of hours on a number of projects including painting the Day Room, winterizing the handicap ramp, and painting interior stairwells and rooms, Marble said. In addition, the shelter receives substantial support from United Way of Eastern Maine, and UPS and Teamsters 340 are significant contributors to the annual campaign.

“We see this as support at all the levels,” Marble said. “We’re helped locally by the volunteer efforts of UPS management and the union. The foundation has helped us with special projects, and UPS’ leadership in the United Way campaign provides us with additional financial support.”

Attending a presentation on Jan. 30 were Harry Doutt of the UPS Northeast District Office; Bob Kopack, local UPS business manager; Rosemary Winslow representing U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud; shelter board members Glen Rea and Margaret Baillie, and Dennis Marble.