Sangerville

Piscataquis Democrats look at women’s perspectives living in rural Maine, collect food and financial donations

The Education and Outreach Committee of the Piscataquis County Democrats offered a public program entitled, “Community Conversation: Women’s Perspectives on Living in Rural Maine” on March 20.  The conversation was held on Zoom to facilitate safety and access and was attended by 18 participants.  The conversation began with the identification of the many challenges faced by women living in rural communities including lack of appropriate childcare, safe and affordable housing, transportation, gender-based violence and the lack of access to healthcare.  The conversation then moved on to a more in depth discussion about the need for systemic change on many levels including the need for a livable wage, not just a minimum wage. The 18 assembled in the forum acknowledged the need for fundamental change and the work that lies ahead to create a more just society for us all.

Photo courtesy of Piscataqis County Democrats
FIGHTING HUNGER — From left, Andrea Thurlow, co-chair of the Piscataquis County Democrats Service Committee, Deborah Loguercio representing the Dover Area Food Cupboard, and Maine House District 120 Rep. Dr. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft at the March 27 collection day to address food insecurity.

In the meantime, local Democrats continue in their action to address food insecurity with their second collection day held Saturday, March 27 at their headquarters at 25 North Street in Dover-Foxcroft.  Several people dropped by with food and financial donations. At the end of the day, checks in the amount of $200 were presented to both the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard and the Piscataquis Regional Food Center. Donations also included several bags of toiletries and cleaning supplies provided by Penquis.

With these donations, Piscataquis Democrats have now distributed $1,000 to local food cupboards along with dozens of boxes of cereal, jars of peanut butter and jelly and other non-perishable food items since the end of February.

The work of the Piscataquis Democrats Service Committee continues with another collection day on Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the headquarters on North Street in Dover-Foxcroft. The Milo Area Ecumenical Food Cupboard will be the recipient of the proceeds of that day. Interested individuals may contribute anytime to this service fund by going to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pcdcservice.

Get the Rest of the Story

Thank you for reading your4 free articles this month. To continue reading, and support local, rural journalism, please subscribe.