PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A local Teamsters union will stage a massive statewide food drive to assure that no one in Aroostook County goes to bed with a rumbling stomach.

South Portland-based Teamsters Local 340, through its Women’s Committee, is spearheading the food drive to benefit Catholic Charities of Maine in Caribou.

The organization stocks food pantries throughout Aroostook County.

Traci Place, a business agent for the union, said late last week that she came up with the idea to help coordinate the drive from her Presque Isle office.

“This is something that we can do to reach out to everyone in The County, not just a small group,” said Place.

She said a big truck would leave from Kittery on July 17 and head north, making several stops along the way during which the Teamsters will collect nonperishable food and monetary donations.

After Kittery the truck will stop in Biddeford, South Portland, Auburn, Augusta, Fairfield, Newport, Hermon, Medway, Houlton and Presque Isle. The final stop will be in Fort Fairfield, where the truck will participate in the Maine Potato Blossom parade on July 18. Canned goods and donations will be collected along the parade route.

Place said locations and times for the stops still are being coordinated.

“The pantries need food, both summer and winter,” Place said. “A lot of people donate food during the winter but sometimes forget that the need still exists during the summer. The problem is just as real in the summer.”

Place said she is optimistic that a wealth of donations will be collected.

“Mainers always support Mainers,” she said.

jlbdn@ainop.com

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