DEAR SUN SPOTS: Lewiston Housing’s Food Security Program needs volunteers to pick up lunches at Trinity Jubilee Center and deliver them to some of our residents. This commitment is about one hour at a time.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with food sorting and distribution. The volunteer commitment is very flexible and there is no minimum commitment. For more information, please call me at 520-4608 or email kdavis@lewistonhousing.org. — Kelly, no town

ANSWER: This flexible opportunity is a wonderful way to give back to the community. If you have a little time I hope you will consider helping. If you can’t donate your time, perhaps you can make a monetary donation to sponsor meals at the center. Find out more at https://www.trinityjubileecenter.org/ or by contacting them through info@trinityjubileecenter.org or call 782-5700. The Center is at 53 Spruce St. in Lewiston. There is free parking in front of the building.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’ve had great results with Sun Spots before and now I have another question for you and your readers.

We have several fluorescent tube light bulbs that no longer work and need to be disposed of properly. They are in our garage and are a hazard. We are wondering about our options. — No name, Minot

ANSWER: Maine law does not allow mercury-added lamps to be disposed of in the trash but requires that they be recycled. Consumers can recycle their waste fluorescent bulbs free of charge at any of more than 100 retail stores and many local solid waste facilities, by searching with their ZIP code.

Have you called your town office to ask for advice? They may be able to help you. Also, in Sun Spots Land, I see these businesses will take the tubes: Drillen True Value Hardware Store at 1086 Sabattus St. in Lewiston, Aubuchon Hardware at 572 Lisbon St. in Lisbon Falls, Full Bloom Hydroponics at 502 Wilton St. and Goings Electric at 1060 Farmington Farms Road, both in Farmington, and Northland Supply True Value at 1355 Auburn Ave. in Turner.

To view the complete EXCEL spreadsheet listing places that take these fluorescent lights, not to be confused with CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs),  go to https://www.maine.gov/dep/gis/datamaps/brwm_recycling/. You can sort it by items you need to dispose of or recycle.

Home Depot and Lowe’s may take the tubes but call first. The ability to take them may depend on location and staffing as the bulbs need to be handled with care, not just placed in the recycle bin where they will break.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the Dare Brand Fudge Sandwich Cookies (Sept. 29 Sun Spots), we live in a town where this brand is hard to find so when our local supermarket stopped carrying these cookies, I was happy to find them on Amazon. They arrived quickly and well-packaged, in perfect shape, not broken, and fresh. These will last us several months — they are delicious! They were a great price, too! — Shane, no town

ANSWER: There are several ordering choices on Amazon for the cookies. If I were to order them in bulk, I don’t think my willpower would be strong enough to resist a large supply. You can order them just a package at a time though if you want to treat yourself now and again!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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