Homeless teen centers look to raise awareness Rockland group plans benefit buffet Nov. 21

ROCKLAND – The Breakwater Homeless Teen Shelter will host a buffet Sunday to raise hunger awareness and to keep the shelter running.

The shelter at 218 Main St. has provided a haven for some 130 youths since it opened three years ago.

It has provided about 3,280 bed-nights at the overnight facility and has served more than 250 youths at its Breakwater Drop-In Center, according to Sydne Matus, shelter program coordinator, on Thursday.

The second annual buffet will offer a variety of cuisines, including French, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese and seafood fare from midcoast Maine, shelter Director Patrick McCabe said Thursday.

The buffet will be 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at the drop-in center, 17 Water St.

Visiting teachers at the Penobscot School, youths, volunteers and staff will prepare the dishes, and the drop-in center will be open for tours. The Penobscot School at 28 Gay St. is a center for learning languages and international exchange.

During the open house, the shelter will launch its annual calendar sales drive.

2005 marks the second year teens will market the calendars that sell for $10 each, raising money for the youth program and shelter. This year’s full-color calendar theme is “The Hopes and Dreams of Homeless Youth.” The art was created by teens.

Last year, the calendar sales brought in $3,315, McCabe said, and the buffet $2,000. The meal is free, he said, but suggested donations are $5.

Artwork by homeless youths and information about hunger around the world, researched by Breakwater teens, will be displayed at the event.

Partners in Ending Hunger will match money raised at the international buffet to benefit the shelter.

In 2003, the Breakwater program held its first dinner and participated in the first Walk For Hunger, which captured the attention of Partners in Ending Hunger. The nonprofit presented the shelter with its annual Ending Hunger Award, McCabe said.

On Thursday, a group of Breakwater staffers hiked a little more than a mile from Water Street to Knox County Federal Credit Union to raise hunger awareness. The credit union has offered to match the money earned from the buffet dinner and calendar sales during Thanksgiving week, according to Matus.

For information about the dinner or to buy calendars, contact the drop-in center at 596-5793.