Yorks of Houlton donates to Catholic Charities

When Dixie Shaw received a call from Jerry York, she had no idea that a phone call would turn into a economic boost for Catholic Charities Maine.
    “He asked a few basic questions about our organization and what we do in Aroostook County,” recalled Shaw, program director of Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank. “Well, my answers are the same whether you call for assistance or you are planning to make a major donation.”
York’s of Houlton called to make a $10,000 gift to the organization.
“It was a complete surprise to us,” said Shaw.
“Toyota initiated a program for dealers in the United States,” explained York. “The purpose of the program is to support community efforts because Toyota dealers get their bulk of income from local communities. This is a way for the Toyota company to give back.”
Toyota presented $5,000 to Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank to match York’s of Houlton’s donation of $5,000.
“Toyota will spend up to $10,000 of their own money to match dealers’ contributions to eligible charities,” added York. “At one of our weekly managers’ meetings, we talked about this and who we thought would make a good fit, so we chose two organizations.”
Along with Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank, York’s of Houlton also contributed to Northern Maine Community College fund-raising effort to build a physical fitness facility for its students.
York’s of Houlton donated $5,000 and Toyota matched the amount.
“These are both really good programs,” said York. “It’s giving back and supporting our communities. Our income comes from the local communities through Aroostook County.”
Noting that each cause is in their backyard, in particular, Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank really helps people who are in need.
“This program directly benefits people with badly needed support,” explained York.
Shaw’s organization serves 25 food pantries from St. Francis to Wytopitlock and from Fort Fairfield to Ashland and all communities in-between.
“We served over 28,000 people last year through that pantry network,” Shaw explained. “We have a food bank in Caribou that services from Presque Isle north and we have a food bank in Monticello that services Mars Hill south.”
The non-profit agency uses 100 percent of the any funds received to feed people in Aroostook County.
“It could not have come at a better time,” said Shaw, who was overjoyed with the donation. “This is the time of year when our cupboards are getting dry and our funds are getting low, often times, depleted, but people still need to eat.”
Catholic Charities gets attention during the holidays and wintertime, but struggles in the spring and summer.
“Do you know what a blessing it is to get this at this time?” she asked. “We needed it so desperately.”
People’s needs are ever growing — look at the gas pumps, electric bills, lack of jobs — and especially the cost of living.
“It’s getting absolutely crazy,” Shaw said. “The need is increasing, but the resources are declining.”
Shaw mentioned how people labor who are healthy and have jobs, but she cannot even imagine what it is like to have other challenges and try to make it all work.
“It’s just meeting the basic needs,” she added. “When things go wrong, people just don’t have the extra money. So, the money has to come from one place they can reduce and cut back and that is food.”
Shaw notices this especially with the elderly.
“They have limited funds and they are strapped,” she said. “If any unexpected increase or setback happens, they will cut back on their food.”
Shaw picks up the food for the community food pantries from the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn for a reduced price.
“We buy 100 percent of our food with the funds we get from Good Shepherd Food Bank,” she said. “Even though it is reduced, those costs have sky-rocketed. So, what I used to be able to buy for $1,000 isn’t what I can buy anymore. It takes a tremendous amount of money to give away free food. People just don’t realize that.”
In addition to the food banks, Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank operates two Thrift Stores in Caribou and Presque Isle.
“The sole purpose of the stores is to generate revenue to buy food,” Shaw said. “We have tons of requests — other than food such as help with fuel, electric bills or a need for furniture — come at us and we have to say ‘No, we can’t help you with that.’ What we do is help feed people. If I open up a floodgate of giving away [something besides food] then I have lost focus and sight of what I am doing.”
Though Shaw refers those who need other items to other resources, the sad reality is those resources are shrinking.
Shaw said, after receiving the donation from York’s of Houlton, the matching grant from Toyota came immediately.
“For our organization to be recognized by a company like Toyota and to have York’s of Houlton call us, that tells me it’s a pretty broad scope of people who believe in our work,” she said.