Manna Ministries executive director Bill Rae remembers the day, eight years ago, when a young mother with two school-age children came to Manna in need of food.

As she was leaving, after having been given groceries for her family, she noticed paper and pencils and had the courage to ask for the school supplies her children needed.

That’s what really impressed Rae, he told me this week: that despite already having to ask for food, she knew she had to ask for school supplies because she had no money buy them.

Thus began another Manna ministry: providing school supplies for needy children.

From the 100 children the project served the first year, Rae expects that more than 500 children will need school supplies and provisions to begin the 2006-07 school year.

“With clothes, shoes and the cost of gas, it’s just too much,” he said, which is why Manna Ministries is asking for your contributions to help young people get what they need to start school.

Rae hopes groups and organizations will participate in the eighth annual Manna Inc. School Supply Drive, and he’s willing to have a Manna representative address your group if you have questions about this program. All you need to do is call 990-2870 to schedule a time for someone to come.

Manna has prepared a checklist for each age group, and you can purchase some or all of the items on the list.

If you wish to make a donation to fill a book bag for a prekindergartner or kindergartner, the cost is $16.95. For youngsters in first to third grades it’s $18.30; grades four and five, $30.85; grades six to eight, $41.80; and grades nine to 12, $40.30.

You can leave items at Manna from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 629 Main St. in Bangor, Rae said, or you can drop them off at your church and Manna will collect them.

Remember that you can purchase one item, from pencils to pocket folders; purchase all items on the checklist and purchase a book bag; or donate funds for the project.

Whatever contribution you make will be greatly appreciated.

Manna needs the supplies and donations as soon as possible so staff and volunteers can prepare to give them out beginning Monday, Aug. 28.

Call Manna at 990-2870 if you have questions or need more information.

The next in the series of concerts at ECOTAT Gardens features the Sweet Adelines Heart of Maine Chorus at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at ECOTAT, at the intersection of 2699 U.S. Route 2 and Annis Road in Hermon.

There is no admission, but donations to benefit ECOTAT are welcome.

Alumni of Lee Academy are reminded that its All School Reunion begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, in the Alumni Building in Lee, and that lunch will follow at 11:45 a.m., in Mallett Gymnasium.

The honored classes will be those who graduated in 1956, 1971, 1981 and 1996.

The nonprofit DTA Center for Learning and Growing in Ellsworth is conducting a novel fundraiser.

Bangor Fair pie contest ribbon award-winner Candy Braley of Holden has volunteered her time to make pies for delivery now through Saturday, Aug. 19.

Simply by calling DTA Center for Learning and Growing, 667-6783, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or leaving a message at that number, you can make arrangements to obtain your special pie.

Donations for the homemade pies are $15, and proceeds benefit the center, which provides licensed therapists who specialize in self-healing.

Next month, Penquis Community Action Program in Bangor is offering “Boot Camp for New Dads,” through its Parents Are Teachers, Too program.

First-time dads-to-be whose spouses are in the last trimester of pregnancy are invited to attend this free workshop the evening of Sept. 13 at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St. in Bangor.

Pizza and drinks will be provided, and you will have an opportunity to talk with experienced fathers who bring their own babies to the workshop.

To register or receive more information, call Wendy Pace at (888) 389-3610 or 973-3674.

Beth Beal wants members of Brewer High School Class of 1942 to mark their calendars and plan to attend an informal get-together at noon Saturday, Aug. 19, at Howard Johnson’s on Odlin Road in Bangor.

For more information, you are welcome to call Beal at 989-3505.

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