CARIBOU, Maine — County residents can see Fort Kent native Austin Theriault race locally when Spud Speedway hosts the second annual Aroostook Savings & Loan PASS Firecracker 200 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 4.
Theriault will take to the track for the Pro All Star Series car racing event, during which sponsorships will benefit Feed the County, a program of Catholic Charities Maine.
Organizers invite businesses and racing fans to help battle hunger in The County by purchasing lap sponsorships, in honor of a loved one, to recognize their favorite driver’s number, or in memory of departed family and friends.
Feed the County has become the primary hunger relief organization in Aroostook County, distributing food to more than 24 food pantries and serving more than 28,000 people. Each month, the two food banks in Caribou and Monticello are filled and emptied again, so the need is great.
“Hunger affects too many in Aroostook County; you may have family members, neighbors, co-workers and friends who don’t always have enough money to afford food,” remarked John Swanberg, president of Aroostook Savings & Loan. “On a tight budget, people often have to choose between paying rent, buying oil for heat or paying for medications instead of purchasing groceries.”
For more than 15 years, the financial institution has spearheaded the Feed the County campaign with partners Catholic Charities of Maine and WAGM-TV, with a mission to increase awareness of the hunger issue in local communities and to collect food and monetary donations to help those in need.
Since the inception of the campaign, the organizations have worked together to raise over $1 million in food and money donations by coordinating and promoting food drives and community fundraising events.
“To help solve the real problem of hunger it takes more than just money, it takes collaborative efforts of volunteering time, food insecurity education and community outreach. Our local community food pantries need your time and talents in helping to pick up food from the Food Banks and then help sort and pack food boxes for monthly distribution. Consider giving a freezer or refrigerator donation to your local food pantry,” said Swanberg.
“There are many ways to join our efforts and help us end hunger and give hope to our friends and neighbors in need. Together we are making a difference,” he said.
For information about the upcoming race, sponsorships or how to help, visit www.FeedTheCounty.com or stop by Aroostook Savings & Loan. Visit Aroostook Savings & Loan and Spud Speedway on Facebook for more event information.
