LEWISTON — On Jan. 9, Tree Street Youth on Howe Street in Lewiston took delivery of a truckload of donated necessities like art supplies, a shop vac, sporting goods, paper towels and toilet paper.

The gifts, as well as a check for $500, came from the December 2013 Giving Tree program established by Auburn Savings Bank’s Jeans Day Committee. On their Facebook page, Tree Street referred to the contribution from Auburn Savings employees and customers as the “best gift ever!”

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the contributions from Auburn Savings Bank,” said Julia Sleeper, executive director of Tree Street Youth. “The Jeans Committee was able to collect some of our most needed items for the center through their Giving Tree project. It may seem silly to some that we were celebrating and brought to tears at the sight of hundreds of rolls of toilet paper, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer, but this type of donation is truly what keeps Tree Street Youth running and able to continue offering programming at no cost to hundreds of children and families each day. We are so appreciative of everyone’s generosity and willingness to support us.”

The Jeans Day Committee — so named because its charitable efforts are funded by the $2 donation made by bank employees each Friday for the privilege of wearing jeans to work — is made up of a handful of bank employees who have committed to establishing an ongoing partnership with Tree Street beginning in 2014. Each month, the group will also give personal time to perform on-site volunteer work such as tutoring students and helping to clean the Tree Street Youth facility.

“We want to do something more than just give money to Tree Street,” said Megan Moody, who heads up the Auburn Savings Jeans Day Committee. “You should see their wish list? We want to make a real impact, but we had to start somewhere, so the giving trees addressed some of the real and everyday needs of the center. It’s a great place to start.”