BANGOR – The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter received $5,000 Friday from the Target department store in Bangor. The money was given as part of the company’s mission to return 5 percent of its profits to the community, which results in donations of about $3 million a week to organizations nationwide.

“This is just great,” Dennis Marble said.

The money will go toward the shelter’s current annual campaign, he said. Marble explained that the shelter has to raise 50 percent of its budget from private sources, and the funds are a big part of keeping the facility sufficiently staffed, oil in the tank and the bills paid.

The funds were given to the shelter at the recommendation of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. The senator previously has worked closely with Target representatives in Washington on a variety of bills, including one regarding port authority because of the size of shipments received by Target.

When asked recently for recommendations on where to give a donation in the Bangor area, Collins suggested the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

She said she was reminded of the biblical story of Mary and Joseph who were turned away at the inn, and couldn’t imagine anyone being turned away during a Maine winter.

“It was a difficult choice to make … because there are so many wonderful causes,” Collins said. “I can’t imagine anything more difficult than being homeless during the holidays.”

A press conference held Friday to announce the award was attended by Target representatives from the Bangor store, including store team leader Dave Scott, and members of the shelter’s board.

“This will make life just a little more comfortable for them,” Collins said of Friday’s donation. “Perhaps the ceremony today will prompt others to make a donation this time of year.”

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