Variety Drug collecting donations for Skowhegan Food Cupboard in October

  SKOWHEGAN – Variety Drug in downtown Skowhegan will collect food and cash contributions for the Skowhegan Food Cupboard during the month of October.  The Greater Somerset Public Health Collaborative and United Way of Mid-Maine are offering the program to link businesses with local food cupboards.  Main Street Skowhegan, Skowhegan Rotary, Madison Business Alliance and Norridgewock Chamber of Commerce have endorsed the project.

 “We are connecting local businesses with local food cupboards to replenish their food supplies and to raise awareness of the need to provide nutritional support to those who live in the region,” Bill Primmerman, Director of the Great Somerset Public Health Collaborative said.  “Local businesses have been enthusiastic about this opportunity and we are grateful for their community spirit.”

  Kevin Holland, owner of Variety Drug thinks the effort will be successful.  “We have a very loyal customer base who we believe will be generous.  We hope to fill the shelves that the program provides as well as the cash contribution canister on our desk,” Holland said.  “We’ve been an important part of the business community since my grandfather, Jim Holland, started the drugstore in 1938.  Throughout our history, we’ve tried to do our part for the community through donations and volunteering for a number of causes. This is a new type of effort for us but right in line with our goals.”

  David Cyr, President of the Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard, reports that there is an increased need for food and cash donations because more people are using the food cupboard.  “We appreciate the efforts that local businesses and the schools are making to help the members of our community who are in the most need,” he said.  “Also, the increased visibility Variety Drug provides through its ‘adoption’ of us for the month of October encourages others to donate.”