Happy Thanksgiving from Mano en Mano! Feliz día de acción de gracias!

We’re happy to share that the welcome and resource center for seasonal and migrant workers this fall was a great success. The center welcomed both newcomers and returning workers to Downeast Maine and provided the tools and support. Volunteers and staff distributed donations of warm clothing, boots, blankets, toiletries and hygiene products. Non-perishable foods along with fresh fruits and vegetables were also available for the 500 workers. In addition, organizations present at the center include Maine Mobile Health Program, Maine Migrant Education Program, Maine Department of Labor, and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project.

On Thursday, October 26th, the community gathered to share a hot meal cooked by volunteers and staff. Another community hot meal was served on November 6th in Machias. In total, we served hot meals to over 255 workers with some of the meals delivered to the workers' camps.

It takes a village and this year we are so grateful for our volunteers, community members, and partnerships with organizations who took part in ensuring this year's success. We had more than 50 volunteers made the welcome and resource center possible. Volunteers sorted donated clothing before the events, solicited donations, stacked and moved food, set-up the center, assisted with clothing and food distribution during all hours that the center was open, cooked and served a hot meal and cleaned and broke down the center at the end of the week.

The Welcome and Resource center in Columbia was held at the Faith United Methodist Church. For Machias, it was held at Centre Street Congregational Church, 9 Center St.

Thank you for your support of seasonal and migrant farmworkers.