The Midcoast Wood Bank has begun a partnership with the town of Harpswell. Arranged through Town Administrator Kristi Eiane and Community Services Coordinator Katie Neal, the partnership provides free firewood, helping ease fuel insecurity for Harpswell residents in need.
The Midcoast Wood Bank, one of 16 in Maine, receives tree-length hardwood logs from area donors at its Topsham woodyard. There, volunteers cut the logs to 16-inch stovewood length, then split, pile and dry it in preparation for the next heating season. Midcoast currently has more than 100 cords ready for use this winter — and it’s free!
Founder Bruce Wildes describes the Wood Bank mission as building strong community partnerships that mobilize public involvement by providing a useful, renewable resource — firewood — to folks struggling to make ends meet. Our Harpswell partnership is off to a strong start; we have refilled the totes out front of the Harpswell Town Office four times! Call Katie Neal at 207-833-5771 for more information.
Harpswellians are invited to the Topsham woodyard to load a half-cord — also free. The woodyard is open every Wednesday and Saturday between 8 a.m. and noon until our dry firewood is gone. Call John Allen at 207-729-7331 to make pickup arrangements for a Harpswell neighbor or for yourself.
The Midcoast Wood Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Call Bruce Wildes at 207-829-6222, Ext. 1, to donate logs or cash, or to volunteer, either at the woodyard or by keeping the Mountain Road totes full. Volunteers also can help with other Harpswell firewood deliveries.
A shoutout to state Rep. Cheryl Golek and Harpswell Select Board member Dave Chipman for answering Katie Neal’s call for volunteers. Will you be next?
Nat Pulsifer, Mid Coast Wood Bank
