DEAR SUN SPOTS: It has been a little over a month since our beloved community of Lewiston-Auburn was forever changed by the tragedy on Oct. 25. Every day since, we have experienced grief, heartbreak and the many ripple effects that such an event creates. We have also witnessed our community come together with tenderness and care.

Here at the Nutrition Center we, along with many others within our community, have been moved to transform worry and grief into action. To show up for each other with a deeper commitment to support and see those who are suffering. To lean into a vision of our community that is more kind, more loving, and more just.

Recently, our love manifested in distributing Thanksgiving boxes to over 500 households. Thousands of pounds of food, countless hours of preparation, dozens of volunteers and many community contributions made it all possible. The day was frenzied and cold, but we came together with a spirit of compassion and solidarity because we know that how we show up is just as important as what we do.

We know the road ahead will be long. The Nutrition Center is dedicated to showing up in ways our community needs: making sure people have food through our pantry, providing resources to ready their gardens for spring planting, teaching children about healthy eating in schools, ensuring fresh food is accessible for all through the farmers’ market; and ultimately working together to build a more just food system.

We hope you will be there with us, bringing care into the world in whatever way makes sense to you.

As you think about donating we are grateful for your support. We also encourage you to support other response efforts in Lewiston, which can be found through the LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Maine Community Foundation. — Your friends at the Nutrition Center, Lewiston

ANSWER: I appreciate this well-crafted, thoughtful letter that outlines the services the Nutrition Center provides and updates us all on what has been accomplished most recently. Their dedication and team work matter so much to so many.

Readers, if you want to know more about the Nutrition Center, go https://stmarysmaine.com/services/nutrition-center/  or call 513-3848. There are many ways to help, including working as a volunteer in different capacities and providing donations of supplies and funds.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A year or two ago you posted a link about where to go to choose and cut Christmas trees. Could you post an updated link to the list please? It may have changed since the time I saw it, hopefully with more Christmas tree farms added! — No name, no town

ANSWER: Here is the link you requested from the Maine Christmas Tree Association: https://www.mainechristmastree.com/members-list/?type=choosecut .

I’m not sure when the list was last updated but I went a step further and have listed the tree farms in or near Sun Spots Land: Dun Roamin Tree Farm at 75 Dyer Road in Lewiston, 577-5878; Eastern Slope Farm at 275 Mt Mica Road in South Paris, 749-3084; Gooleys Conifers Unlimited Christmas Tree Farm at 263 Cowen Hill Road in Farmington, 778-2368; Mountain View Tree Farm at 085 Bridgton Road in Fryeburg, 256-3101. There are several more scattered throughout the state if you’re up for a drive!

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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