Of course the bright yellow bus is eye catching and helps draw attention to the collection that day, but it has a much more symbolic meaning: St. Mary’s is collecting food to feed hungry families, including the many children who live in poverty. Thanksgiving is a special time for families, but for families without enough to eat, it doesn’t feel special. That’s why the St. Mary’s Food Pantry is collecting food today to make sure families in Auburn and Lewiston have the food they need.

Today while you shop, please purchase an extra jar of peanut butter, box of pasta, a canned good or any nonperishable food and place it in the collection bins at Shaw’s to be placed on the buses. You can also make a cash donation to any of our volunteers that day. Donations allow the pantry to purchase food at a reduced rate through the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Donations can be made any time to St. Mary’s Food Pantry, P.O. Box 7291, Lewiston, ME 04243. For more information, please call the pantry at 207-513-3841. — Bettyann, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read Sun Spots every day, and I know you have helped a lot of people, and I’m hoping you might be able to direct me to what I am looking for. I have an antique sewing machine made by The Free Sewing Machine Co. sometime between 1895 and 1953. I have been looking for a museum or a place that will use this to educate. I am willing to donate it if I could find one. I have tried the museum in Augusta, they have a lot already, and I have also tried Fort Western, which was going to take it to show, but now I’m told they don’t have the room. It is working, and I have sewed on it recently, so I would like it to be used to educate others about what sewing used to be before electronics and the big machines. Any help that I can get would be deeply appreciated. Thank you for all you do. — Arlene, Lewiston.

ANSWER: According to the Encyclopedia of Early American & Antique Sewing Machines, 3rd Edition: Starting in 1887 and named after company president William C. Free, most Free sewing machines were for sale by mail-order companies or department stores and were much like machines from the larger manufacturers. However, post-World War II saw the large scale importation of Japanese-made sewing machines into the U.S., and the corporation was not able to compete. The company was bought out in 1954.

Sun Spots has reached out to some places in the community with no response yet, but is sharing Arlene’s question for anyone else who may be interested. Please write in to Sun Spots if your museum or organization could use this vintage sewing machine as an educational tool.

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