BREWER – With the recent announcement that Eastern Fine Paper in Brewer may not reopen, Brewer Director of Economic Development Drew Sachs said the cities of Brewer and Bangor have initiated “an effort to collect nonperishable food and cash donations for company employees who are out of work.”

The idea of Brewer Mayor Michael Celli is to help those employees needing assistance “make ends meet,” Sachs said.

While the cities will serve as collection sites for food and donations, PACE Local 1-0403 will distribute the donations to Eastern employees in need.

Individuals and business representatives may drop off nonperishable food items during regular business hours at Brewer Auditorium on Wilson Street, Brewer City Hall on North Main Street, Bangor City Hall on Harlow Street or Bangor Parks and Recreation on Main Street.

Cash or check contributions made out to PACE Local 403 may be delivered or mailed to Brewer City Hall, 80 North Main St., Brewer 04412.

Displaced millworkers may call Jim Dinardo, 561-4016 or 862-2243; Peter Copa, 234-2096; or Manley DeBeck, 989-7608, to be considered for assistance.

As part of the Bangor and Brewer collection effort for Eastern Fine Paper employees, Don Emmons of Bangor Wal-Mart and Carol Lackedy of Brewer Wal-Mart have announced that their respective stores will serve as additional collection sites.

Nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the displaced workers may be left in drop-off boxes at the exits of each store.