Recently I heard from Brewer Christian Food Cupboard volunteer Jan Ashton about a matching challenge grant opportunity in which that organization participates.

The opportunity is offered annually by Good Shepherd Food Bank, which is headquartered in Auburn and has a distribution center in Brewer.

This year, Ashton wrote, Brewer Christian Food Cupboard “has made a commitment to meet and to try to exceed the amount of the matching grant, which is $600.

“We are inviting our member and supporting churches, local businesses and the public to join us in this fundraising effort,” she continued.

All of the money donated during this challenge “will be deposited into our account at Good Shepherd, and used throughout the year,” Ashton wrote.

Each month, the food cupboard averages between $400 and $500 in expenses to purchase “frozen meats, dry and canned goods as well as government surplus food, when they are available,” she said.

Anyone who wants to help BCFC meet or exceed this challenge can mail a check made out to either Brewer Christian Food Cupboard or just BCFC, P.O. Box 492, Brewer 04412.

In addition, Ashton pointed out, “Shaw’s Supermarkets has started a new program in which we will be participating.”

Shaw’s will donate 1 percent of the amount spent on groceries to a participating organization that collects the receipts and submits them through this program.

“We are excited about this opportunity,” Ashton wrote.

If you would like to participate in this fundraising effort, just send your Shaw’s Supermarkets receipts to BCFC at the above address.

Writing on behalf of the Healthy Living Project, Nicole Heanssler of Waldo County Healthcare reminds readers today is the 19th annual American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day.

The goals of Diabetes Alert Day “are to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and to educate individuals about the risks and symptoms of the disease. An individual can have diabetes and not be aware of it,” she wrote.

Symptoms of diabetes may include excessive thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss.

Complications of diabetes include heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, amputations, dental disease, complications of pregnancy and biochemical imbalances, she added.

To learn more about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.com or call (800) 342-2383.

Admission is free, but reservations are required for those wishing to attend a Lunch and Learn program about the relationship between dental and heart health from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Millinocket Baptist Church.

Reservations to ensure sufficient lunches and seating can be made by calling 723-4581.

The program features Dr. Lisa Jacob of Katahdin Valley Health Center’s Dental Clinic, and Dr. Karen Nelson of Millinocket Regional Hospital, who will talk about good oral hygiene and how it affects your overall health, from gum disease to heart disease.

The program is sponsored by KVHC, MRH and the Katahdin Area Partnership.

Sue Erich wrote that the Orono High School Project Graduation 2007 Longaberger Basket Bingo fundraiser, which was planned for March 17, has been rescheduled.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and games start at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the American Legion Hall on Park Street in Orono.

Attendees will have the opportunity to win 10 filled Longaberger baskets, participate in raffles and enjoy homemade food.

Tickets are $10, and more information can be obtained by calling Erich at 866-2841.

The Bruce Dowling family sincerely thanks everyone who helped make a benefit dinner for him on Feb. 4 “such a great success,” they wrote.

They extend “special thanks to Carole’s girls, who planned and organized this wonderful event,” and the many people who attended.

“The family is very appreciative of the time, talent and treasures that have been shared with and for them,” they wrote, and also “thank everyone for keeping Bruce in their thoughts and prayers.”

A Holden town employee, Dowling is recovering from a recent brain aneurysm and heart attack.

Colby College and Kennebunk High School graduate Megan Shannon-Winterson, daughter of Stephen Shannon and Barbara Winterson of Kennebunkport, has been named the Maine Cherry Blossom Festival Princess by the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C.

A legislative assistant for Rep. Tom Allen, she will represent Maine in the 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival April 8-14, in Washington, D.C.

The festival queen, chosen by a spin of the Wheel of States, represents the United States in Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

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