NEWS NOTES

A festive donation drop at one of the 11 Partners Bank locations
greets those bringing non-perishable food items for the Food Drive for Children.
Photo: Partners Bank

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Banking on your generosity to feed hungry children: Through Nov. 30, Partners Bank is holding a Food Drive for Children at each of their 11 branch locations throughout Maine and New Hampshire. All collected non-perishable food items will be donated to either End 68 Hours of Hunger or Gather. While all non-perishable food is appreciated, the food drives are especially in need of the following items: pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, crackers, canned meat (tuna or chicken), canned vegetables, granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit, applesauce cups, pancake mix, maple syrup, cereal, oatmeal, mac and cheese, microwaveable rice and beans. Go here to read more about this effort and the two organizations with which Partners Bank is working.

YMCA expansion helps to meet growing childcare needs: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA recently announced an expansion of their full-day childcare services with a new 2,800-square-foot addition that will provide three new classrooms to their Early Learning Center, which currently serves children aged three to five. The expansion will allow the YMCA to add 30 childcare slots and expand the age of enrollment to include infants and toddlers ages six weeks to 36 months. Made possible by a State of Maine Childcare Grant along with funds raised through local stakeholders, the expansion will provide a vital childcare resource in the 10 communities served by the YMCA. The addition to the Early Learning Childcare Center will be completed in May 2024, with enrollment reservations starting in January 2024. FMI, go here.

Reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint: Pet Supplies Plus in Sanford has partnered with TerraCycle US to offer an easy way to recycle flexible plastic pet food and treat bags from all brands for all species of pets right in the store. This program includes qualifying bags from any retailer. FMI, go here.

Don’t let Old Man Winter cost you: Our region is no stranger to the snow and ice that winter can deliver, so the Sanford Police Department (SPD) has issued a reminder about a new law regarding Snow and Ice; Duty of Care. The new law requires that snow and ice be removed from your vehicle to avoid causing damage or a crash with your vehicle or other vehicles on the road. Traffic infractions will be met with a $50 fine for the first offense, $150 for the second and $250 for the third. To read the SPD reminder and the language of the law, go here.

Memorial tree for Holly Daze lighting: This year’s Christmas tree in Sanford’s Central Park was donated in memory of Carol Cail by her husband. It was grown from a small tree at Sheila and Dave Cabana’s Christmas Tree Farm. The tree will be lit on Dec. 1 at 6:15 pm following the Holly Daze parade, which will begin at 5:30 pm.