NSB Assisting The Root Cellar with Support of Portland and Lewiston “Neighbors” in Need

LEWISTON—In 1984, Mennonite missionaries saw the downtrodden, struggling Munjoy Hill community in Portland and responded by opening up a teen center in the basement of a local church. The basement had been used as a root cellar in the past, and since that day, has adorned the name of an organization from which hopes and dreams have grown across Maine.

The Root Cellar currently operates out of a community center on 94 Washington Avenue in Portland and on 89 Birch Street in Lewiston. Along the way, the organization has focused on finding ways to love their neighbors, specifically in the immigrant and refugee communities and in areas suffering from higher densities of poverty.

These efforts inspire support from individuals and businesses around Maine, including Norway Savings Bank, which recently delivered a check for $1,150 to the organization in gratitude for its continuing vigilance to make lives better.

“For decades, The Root Cellar did things ‘for’ those in need, but now they operate programs that do things ‘with’ those in need, building encouraging and inspiring friendships and partnerships along the way,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “We’re thankful to be able to help them as they respond to needs and transform communities through their crucial programs.”

Among those programs are:

• Abundant Food Share Pantry, which distributes food to anyone in need in Portland on Fridays from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Lewiston each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 2 p.m. 
• Rooted Mentoring Groups that help youth prepare to grow into leaders with a “Work, Play, Grow, and Gather” approach.
• After-school programs and summer day camps for elementary-aged students.
• English language courses with levels spanning from beginner to conversational.
• The Common Grounds Café in Lewiston, which serves free breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and coffee to anyone who visits. The café also offers work experience for teens and new asylum seekers. The space has also become a warming area for the unhoused community.
• The Path Forward program, which engages immigrants and other neighbors at risk of homelessness in a welcoming community through English language learning and job readiness programming.
• Trauma Healing Groups using a biblically based curriculum to help immigrants heal from trauma they may carry.

There are many ways to assist The Root Cellar, including an upcoming golf tournament that will raise funds for the organization. To learn more, visit www.therootcellar.org.