Lewiston-based women’s group has 1st meeting, gives $5K to Calvary City Mission

The 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin held its first fundraising meeting Feb. 5 in Lewiston. The group voted to support Calvary City Mission. From left are Gayle Johnson, nominator of Calvary City Mission for consideration of funding; Nancy Craig and Pat Gardiner, both of Calvary City Mission; and Marty McIntyre, founder of 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin. Submitted photo

LEWISTON — The 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin group held its first fundraising meeting Feb. 5, at which it voted to support Calvary City Mission with its donations. The checks, totaling $5,000, were delivered to the mission.

Bill Reed prepares a meal at Calvary City Mission in Lewiston. Submitted photo

Calvary City Mission, 59 Sabattus St. in Lewiston, serves homeless and needy individuals and families in Lewiston. Every Sunday, breakfast is served at 8 a.m. and lunch is at noon, with the center staying open throughout, until 1 p.m. It also serves supper on Wednesday evenings, according to a news release from Marty McIntyre, founder of 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin.

The center provides meals, a warm place for people to relax and sometimes sleep, charge their phones, use the internet, use the bathroom, have coffee and snacks between meals, check up on each other and socialize. It is not a clothes closet, but it does have a supply of socks, underwear, hats and mittens, band aides, and a few warm sweaters available for those in need.

The mission serves 25-35 meals Wednesdays and 75 to 100 meals Sundays.

The group is a collaboration of local women who seek to invest in the community by pooling their donations for the greatest impact. They meet four times a year. Members can nominate organizations or projects that are working to address community needs.

At each meeting they hear about three of the nominated organizations and then vote for one group to receive their donation. The members then write a check to that organization, and within a few weeks all the checks are delivered directly to the organization chosen. All of the money donated goes directly to the recipient.

The next meeting is set for Monday, May 6, at the YWCA, 130 East Ave. in Lewiston.

For more information, email 100womenwhocareandroscoggin@gmail.com.