Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 16 : Spring 2013 | Page 23

Over the next few years, the food harvesting program grew
by leaps and bounds. Local farmers donated more acreage
for harvesting and local businesses donated seeds and
equipment. Aroostook Agency on Aging and The United
Way worked with FOA to support their efforts as more and
more fresh vegetables made their way into an increasing
number of the state’s poorer communities.

residents and others in need. Since 2009, OWH delivers
approximately 20 cords of wood each winter season –
that’s about 50 pick-up truck loads. In 2012, through its
initiatives to make things better for society, AARP Maine
worked with the AARP Foundation to contribute to OWH.
“Thanks to AARP,” Dale says, “We were able to buy treelength hardwood which we then processed into firewood
and delivered to homes from Silver Ridge all the way to
Flash forward to 2013! The results of the dedication Presque Isle.”
and inspiration of FOA have reached proportions that
are nothing short of astounding. Dale reports his team OWH uses an application process through local
harvested over 200,000 pounds of food during the summer municipalities and charities such as The Salvation Army,
of 2012. “That’s the equivalent of 600,000 adult portions!” but Dale, himself, delivers the wood to each home. “Most
he beams. Dale is particularly pleased that through FOA of the time I don’t have the opportunity to meet any of
fewer older adults are going hungry. Other Maine residents the people we are helping through our programs,” he says.
in need receive FOA’s bounty through the Good Shepherd “This is the one time when I can personally meet and greet
Food Bank which distributes the produce to local food each individual or family. This season I met two elderly
pantries statewide. Dale says he counts on Maine’s Agencies ladies from different towns who both live in trailers with
on Aging, as well as the Good Shepherd Food Bank, to no electricity and no running water. They were so grateful
determine the geographical needs for FOA’s produce and to to have the means to stay warm. It is an honor to be able to
allocate the food accordingly.
help those who are cold among us.” One of the beneficiaries
of the generosity of OWH, Rodger from Presque Isle, wrote
Steve Farnham, Director of Aroostook Agency on Aging, to Dale recently and said “I greatly appreciate what Friends
explains how some of the food is distributed. “One way we of Aroostook is doing for the seniors who are having a hard
see the benefit of FOA’s work is through our Meals on Wheels time heating their homes this winter.”
program,” he says. “Most of our clients are homebound
seniors, yet they can get this gorgeous produce, prepared Dale’s vision, which started with such an odd phone call,
and delivered right to their door straight from the garden. is now helping residents across The County stay warm
Fresh, nutritious produce, some of which is organic, would and Mainers across the entire state stave off hunger. How
normally be all but impossible for our clients to obtain.” )