In June a task force of seven diverse and committed community members was created to help raise funds to promote the continuation of the Boothbay Region Community Resources (BRCR) programs. Many in the Boothbay Region received request letters outlining the need and several have responded generously.

However, more financial help is needed.

The BRCR group was founded nine years ago by local clergyand is a conference of schools, town offices, churches and other non-profits on the Boothbay peninsula. The mission is to assist those of the community in need by providing information, funds and referrals in a confidential and collaborative manner.

There are seven basic but important programs of the BRCR. The Community Fuel Assistance program is funded through a fuel account and provides heating fuel once per heating season to qualified families.

The community woodpile is available to those in need who heat with wood and is furnished by a group called “The Woodchucks.”

The Community Navigator Program helps local residents of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb access resources to meet critical needs such as job searches, paying essential bills, handling domestic violence, physical or mental illness, disability, legal and housing issues.

Eligibility is determined on a case by case basis and each potential client is screened. The Community Navigator is Michaela Stone, LSW, a licensed social worker. The community clothing closet is housed at the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor and provides free clothing.

Set for Success back-to-school program is a community-wide effort to provide local children essential school items including notebooks, pens and pencils, calculators, backpacks and other tools of education.

Lunch programs are open to all at some local venues during the colder months including Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, the Southport Town Hall and all year at the Edgecomb Congregational Church.

The Boothbay Region Food Pantry, located on the lower level of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, distributes food to families in need and also offers a fresh food project. A new initiative focus is to feed the hungry children in our community.

In the current challenging economic climate and without state or federal funding, the BRCR group Task Force has taken on the job of fundraising in the community. In the first phase, letters were sent out to businesses and neighbors asking for financial help to continue the work of the BRCR. All donations are tax-deductible, currently through the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

BRCR is pursuing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The funds will be distributed to the different BRCR programs where there is the biggest need but with special focus on the fuel fund, feeding hungry children, and the Community Navigator Program.

In 2012 the community fuel fund helped 107 families with fuel of propane, kerosene, oil or electric. There were 68 truckloads of wood delivered to 34 families by the Woodchucks. During 2012 the Community Navigator assisted 196 clients which meant that 450 household members were helped as a result. Over 150 families were assisted financially.

The Food Pantry served over 333 families, not including holiday supplies. Set for Success provided school supplies to 400 students.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help. Send it to Boothbay Region Community Resources, 185 Townsend Ave Suite N, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538.

For more information about BRCR, the programs or about donations, please call the Community Navigator, Michaela Stone at 207-350-6272.

Look for the new BRCR website coming soon at www.boothbayresources.org.