Nearly $400,000 Requested by Senator Collins for Harrison Food Bank & Community Center Passes Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced that $387,932 in funding she requested for the renovation of the Harrison Food Bank & Community Center was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill.  The bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 25-5 and will now be considered by the full Senate.

“The dedicated staff and volunteers at Harrison Food Bank work tirelessly to provide nutritious food to low-income individuals and families in Maine,” said Senator Collins.  “This investment will provide the Center with an updated, modern facility to continue to serve Mainers with healthy food while also creating a new space for community events.  As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I strongly advocated on behalf of Harrison Food Bank & Community Center to include this critical project in the funding bill, and I will continue to champion this investment as the process moves forward.”

Harrison Food Bank is the largest food bank in the State of Maine, serving 500 low-income families from 92 towns per week. 

After years of community use, the original VFW Hall where Harrison Food Bank is located is in need of repairs. The organization has been actively working to expand the facilities and upgrade the existing building.  Now re-branded as The Harrison Community Center, the renovated space will feature enlarged restrooms and an expanded commercial kitchen.  The facility will also have new handicap ramps to both levels, an enlarged overhang to maintain safe paths from weather, and new energy efficient mechanical systems. 

With the support of this federal investment, the Center will facilitate classes, public meetings, dinner, and veterans’ services.  In addition, the renovated space may be used as a shelter for the town of Harrison in emergency situations.

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