Hope House, a program of Penobscot Community Health Care located on Indiana Avenue in Bangor, is a 64-bed emergency homeless shelter licensed by the Maine State Housing Authority and the Office of Substance Abuse to serve homeless people nightly.

Its director, Mike Andrick, has asked our readers for support in the past and is grateful for all you do.

The staff of Hope House and those it serves extend “a formal thanks to the greater Bangor community for its support in keeping the doors open to those in need,” Mike wrote to me this week.

“Hope House is able to provide a meal” for 100 people each night “as a direct result of the generous donations from individuals and groups who have signed up as meal providers,” he continued, complimenting the businesses, civic groups, churches and individuals who “truly preserve dignity for those we serve.”

For readers who are unaware of what is involved here, Mike wrote that Hope House staff observe the kindness of these volunteers “day in and day out,” as 100 homeless individuals are served by meal providers who go about their tasks “with a smile and a can-do attitude. This is the definition of the word community!”

“We cannot begin to address the deeper needs” of those Hope House serves “until we have met the basic needs of food and safe shelter,” he continued.

“Our meal providers treat the homeless as if that was their brother, sister, mother, or father; struggling with homelessness.

“On behalf of the staff at Hope House, senior leadership at Penobscot Community Health Care, and the homeless at Hope House, we extend a sincere thank you.”

Now, as we enter the coldest season of the year, your help is needed more than ever in providing those meals but, additionally, Mike wrote, Hope House is “reaching out to one and all to pitch in, if you are able,” to help provide the homeless with basic necessities such as personal hygiene products for both men and women and warm clothing, including hats, mittens and gloves.

If you are interested in volunteering at Hope House, donating items to help those who seek shelter there be warmer this winter or becoming a meal provider, call Mike at 217-6713, ext. 467.

Mike has coined a new expression to describe your efforts in helping those in need.

“Together,” he wrote, “we can be ‘dignity-minded’ in supporting the homeless in our community.”

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Barbara McNure of Old Town is a disabled Vietnam-era veteran who likes to keep busy helping others.

McNure spends her time crocheting afghans for anyone in need, from shut-ins to pregnant teens, nursing and veterans home residents and youngsters at Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.

Barbara also gives afghans to her church pastor to augment the comfort he brings while making his rounds visiting those who are ill, homebound or hospitalized.

Barbara lives on a very limited income, however, and purchasing yarn is not within her budget.

“I have my Social Security and VA pension,” she said, “but, after I pay my bills, I don’t have money to buy yarn at the cost of yarn lately,” adding that even at the discount stores, “it’s almost $3 a skein.”

That is why Barbara is asking for donations of yarn, so she can continue to make afghans.

The former Holden resident moved to Old Town a year ago and is looking for new connections within the community to help with this project.

“People knew in Holden that I made the afghans,” and she just wants people to know she is continuing to do so, she said.

Barbara recently heard about someone who, when cleaning out her mother’s home, came across lots of yarn but didn’t know what to do with it, “and she just threw it out,” Barbara said.

“I want to tell people, don’t throw it out, give it to me,” and she will make an afghan for someone who needs it.

Barbara needs acrylic or other types of modern yarn rather than wool, she said, and she will pick up your donations “if it’s not too far to go.”

“I’ll take whatever you have,” she said. “I call my afghans a coat of many colors.”

If you can help Barbara bring comfort to others in this way, call her at 817-3112.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.com; 990-8288.