While much of our attention and efforts to help are focused worldwide as news reports continue to bring us information about the devastation caused by the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed more than 150,000 and left countless people homeless, there are those among us who also need our help.

Responding to a recent Bangor Daily News article reporting that food cupboard supplies in our area are running low, Cumulus Broadcasting will broadcast live from four Hannaford Supermarkets in an attempt to raise a Ton of Pasta between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.

Michael O’Hara reports representatives of WQCB, Q106.5 Brewer Country will set up shop in Hannaford’s at the Brewer Shopping Center.

WEZQ, 92.9 Ellsworth Lite Rock disc jockeys will be broadcasting from Hannaford’s in Ellsworth.

WWMJ, Magic 95.7 of Bangor will be broadcasting from Hannaford’s in the Broadway Shopping Center in Bangor; and WBZN, Z107.3 Old Town CHR will be coming to you live from Hannaford’s on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town.

O’Hara says that a 1-pound box of pasta can feed a family of four.

He encourages listeners to stop by during those hours at those locations and donate a box of pasta and a plastic bottle of sauce.

“We’d like people who are shopping to just pick up an extra box of pasta and an extra jar of sauce” to help Cumulus stations raise the 2,000 pounds of pasta in just four hours, he said.

O’Hara reminds readers there is no organized food drive in the area until the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive in May.

To help those who are forced to make difficult choices between paying for food or fuel, he hopes that you will help less fortunate neighbors by raising a Ton of Pasta for local food pantries.

Author Farnham “Mike” Blair, a former Orono High School English teacher, will discuss and sign copies of his new book “Peripheral Visions: Memoirs of a Washington Childhood,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Orono Public Library.

Kathy Marks-Molloy believes you will enjoy hearing Blair, the child of a prominent Washington, D.C., family, reflecting on growing up in post-World War II Washington, D. C.

The public is welcome. For more information, call the library at 866-5060.

Penobscot County’s domestic violence agency, Spruce Run Association in Bangor, needs volunteers for its hot line, reports Sue Hamlett.

Hot line training begins Thursday, Jan 20, and consists of 12 evening sessions.

Volunteers can work from home or the office, and experienced backup is available.

To learn how you can help others, call Spruce Run at 945-5102 or complete an online application at www.sprucerun.net.

Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children is preparing for its Spring 2005 session.

The Hospice of Eastern Maine program offers a 10-week session of grief support for children and families or caregivers who are experiencing the death of, or who have lost, a loved one.

Pathfinders sessions begin 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, through Monday, May 23, at Bangor Christian Schools.

Pathfinders is specially geared for children and teens ages 3-18, and facilitated by volunteers trained by representatives of HOEM.

Teens can attend on their own with the consent of their caregiver.

Adults who attend the sessions with children meet in their own group.

New families are asked to attend an interview with the program coordinator.

For more information or to arrange an interview, call Linda Boyle, 973-8269.

And while there is a $50 per-family fee, a limited number of scholarships are available for those who need assistance.

For more information about scholarships, call Alicia Guite at the above number.

If the unknown Good Samaritan who purchased lunch for a member of the military one Sunday at Dysart’s in Hermon didn’t recognize themselves as receiving thanks in this column on Saturday, Jan. 8, there might be a reason.

Julia Pardy of Bangor wrote on behalf of her nephew, Jason Lubitz, to thank that special someone and I, somehow, managed to write that kind act took place “the last Sunday in November” when I should have written it was “the last Sunday in December.”

So, if you are that after-Christmas Santa or Mrs. Claus, the entire Pardy family thanks you for your kindness and consideration.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.