Box lunch fundraiser returns

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
 HOULTON, Maine — For years, Houlton residents in the work place could count on getting a bag lunch delivered to their jobs on at least one day as part of the “Box Lunch” fundraiser.    “The box lunch is a long standing tradition in Houlton, beginning over 20 years ago by the Rebekkas as a fundraiser, and then when they discontinued the program, it was taken up by Houlton Humane Society,” said Cathy Davis, one of the event coordinators. “Houlton Humane discontinued this project after many years to focus on fundraisers that were more geared to the shelter itself, including the Homes for the Holidays event, the Rockin’ the Dog House and others that bring people in to the shelter and feature adoptable pets. The fundraiser was offered to Adopt-A-Block of Aroostook, being recognized as an excellent non-profit that impacts lives on a daily basis,” Davis added.
With AABA taking up the mantle of organizing the event, box lunches will once again be offered. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14. The box lunch will consist of three finger roll sandwiches, three sweets, and a bag of chips, all for the price of $7.
“All funds raised will help the AABA programs, the after-school program, the Boys Camp, Back Pack and other programs,” Davis said. “AABA’s mission is to impact our communities by bringing hope and love one block at a time, by assisting with food, clothing needs, life-skills, education and building stronger, healthier families. It’s about giving a hand up, not a hand out.”
Teams of volunteers will deliver order forms to local businesses (and as far out as the border, LP, Hodgdon schools) two weeks before the event and pick them up the week before the event, so that there is an accurate count of the number of lunches needed, far enough in advance to order the food.
The lunches consist of one egg, one tuna and one ham salad sandwich, three sweets, a variety of cookies, brownies and a bag of chips. Meals will be delivered between 9 to 11 a.m.
“The funds from this Box Lunch will go a long way to help reach individuals in our community in so many ways,” Davis said.