AUBURN — Employees at FutureGuard Building Products Inc. and its affiliated companies teamed up with surrounding businesses on Merrow Road to collect food and cash donations for Hope Haven Gospel Mission in Lewiston.

Hope Haven operates a 32-bed homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food pantry and clothing closet at 209 Lincoln St. It appears the donation came just in time for the holidays because the pantry shelves were almost bare.

“We got a lot more than we were expecting,” Joselyn Griggs, the donor and volunteer coordinator at Hope Haven, said.

It is an especially tough time for families and individuals in need in Maine, and at Hope Haven there is more traffic than last year. Griggs said the food pantry is only open three days a week, but the demand is increasing. One day last week 65 families sought food assistance.

Griggs said they normally serve between 45 and 55 families and individuals each day the pantry is open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

“We are very appreciative of every donation big or small,” Griggs said. “It helps us help the community.” She said the donation from FutureGuard will allow Hope Haven to help many Maine families, and replace its nonperishables supply.

FutureGuard receptionist Michelle Espeaignette organized the drive after a smaller internal donation drive last year. She said they plan to make it an annual event. “There are a lot of people who need help right now, these are tough times,” she said Tuesday.

Alpha Tubular Motors, a California-based supplier that works with FutureGuard, donated $1,000 and Nason Mechanical Systems donated $500 in addition to food.

The other companies donating to the cause include Pepsi, Paychex, Western Maine Transportation Systems, LaPointe Drywall, Toddle Inn Childcare, Damon Insulation, Applied Industrial Technologies and Pisten Bully.

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