SOUTH BERWICK –
Soups and breads from nine local restaurateurs and bakers, raffle prizes from local merchants and a bucket at the front door for cash donations… On October 29, the people of South Berwick are holding a very special supper at Spring Hill. It is an old-fashioned community fundraiser being held by townspeople working with Social Services to help local families deal with sky-high heating costs this winter.
Just like days gone by, there’s no set donation or entry fee. There will be a bucket by the door where people can give whatever they can to help their neighbors get through this difficult time.
Vicki Desilets, Social Services Director, says “We believe that many more families in town will face the prospect of not being able to afford heating oil this winter. At this point, whatever help the community – we, neighbors – can offer is desperately needed.”
To that end, restaurants in South Berwick and York are pitching in and providing soups and breads for the event. Among them are: Nature’s Way Market, Pepperland, Fogarty’s, The Catered Event, The Red Barn at Outlook Farm, The Brixham General Store, Spring Hill Restaurant, Muddy River Smokehouse and When Pigs Fly Bread. The South Berwick Senior Center and the Red Hat Hotties are hosting a bake sale. Local merchants like The Little Hat Company, The Kittery Trading Post, Salmon Falls Gardens, Sobo Book and Bean, Vacuum Village, South Berwick Yoga and Childlight Yoga are providing prizes for raffles to be held during the event. Tickets are also available ahead of time from SoBo Book and Bean and The South Berwick Pharmacy.
“With the help of a $1000 donation from Steve Lizio of South Berwick and the money we raise from this supper, the raffle and the donations that are made directly to the town, we will give some families a few hours of heat,” says Pat Robinson, one of the key organizers. “The support we’ve gotten from the local restaurants and merchants has been very enthusiastic. If we see that the community responds the same way, the event should really make a difference in local families’ lives this winter. If people can’t come, we hope they’ll mail in a donation. We really hope to make sure that all of the families of South Berwick stay warm this winter.”
If you can’t make it to the dinner, donations can also be made directly to the Town of South Berwick, c/o Fuel Fund, 180 Main Street, South Berwick, ME 03908. For more information, call Pat Robinson at 207-337-2792.
