Rarely are the shelves and cupboards of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter bare of food, but that was nearly the case just prior to the Jewish High Holy Days this year, wrote BAHS program manager Mike Andrick.

Fortunately, members of Congregation Beth El came to the rescue with a “generous donation of food.”

Congregation members Dr. Eric Brown, Mike Cohen and Barabara Kates organized a food drive during this time when congregation members fast and, at the same time, donate food to others “as a means to reflect on how they will repair the world by doing for others,” Andrick explained.

“This is a spiritual observation through practical giving.”

On Rosh Hashanah the congregation is given bags to collect food for when they return, 10 days later, on Yom Kippur.

“This kind of support keeps our doors open and preserves dignity for those in need,” Andrick wrote in expressing gratitude to Beth El for the donated food that “will be used to prepare meals for the homeless residing in the shelter, and to folks accessing the food cupboard.”

Andrick wrote that contributions such as these create “a spirit of hope” for the hungry and those in need.

“It is reassuring to know that we live in a community that recognizes the homeless for who they are.

“That homeless person you see walking the streets of Bangor, Maine, is someone’s Mom, Dad, brother or sister, deserving of basic human rights, food, shelter and clothing.”

The Parents Teachers Friends Group of Blue Hill Consolidated School is hosting a Benefit Spaghetti Supper for the family of U.S. Marine Cpl. Brian Smith, Jr., who was injured in Iraq and recently returned home.

Smith will be requiring extended physical therapy for his injuries.

The supper is 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the school cafeteria.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for students, free for children under 5 or $15 for families.

The event includes a raffle and silent auction.

For those who cannot attend, a trust fund has been established for the family at Union Trust Bank.

The public is invited to enjoy “Memories of Grindstone Neck,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Sullivan-Sorrento Recreation Center.

Hosted by the Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society, the program features former NASA astronaut and Grindstone summer resident Rick Hauck.

SSHS board member Jeanne Edwards wrote that Hauck’s presentation will include video recordings, reminiscences of Grindstone Neck and Winter Harbor residents and, she added, “the book will be available.”

The second round of semifinals for the upcoming SAD 48 Talent Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport.

Students from kindergarten through grade 12 are encouraged to enter for a chance to participate in the final round of competition in November.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students, and each admission equals one voting ticket. Additional voting tickets can be purchased for $1 each.

For more information, call either Kent Higgins or Kirk Taylor at 368-4354 or Lisa Neal at 938-4770.

A September Yard and Craft Sale hosted by St. Joseph Healthcare’s Mission Advisory Committee raised more than $1,500 for Good Shepherd Food-Bank.

Since every dollar donated to Good Shepherd provides more than $12.50 in food for the hungry, that translated into $19,000 of food for Good Shepherd to distribute to the hundreds of soup kitchens, shelters and other programs it serves throughout Maine.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is seeking individuals to become English Language Tutors in the Bangor area.

Volunteers who would like to join the program, which begins at the end of October, can call Mary Marin Lyon at LV-Bangor at 947-8451.

At the end of September, Joy Krimowski of Midlothian, Va., wrote that her son, a member of the U.S. Army who was beginning a year’s tour of duty in the Middle East, was aboard a plane “carrying several hundred soldiers” that stopped for refueling at Bangor International Airport.

“As they got off the plane,” she continued, “the soldiers were greeted by Bangor residents thanking them for their service to our country.

“What a wonderful thing for people to do!

“Special thanks from a worried mom to all who take the time to do this. It meant a lot to my son, and it means a lot to me.”

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