NORTH YARMOUTH — Nine years after it began providing fuel assistance to those in need, the nonprofit Cumberland Woodbank now has a new home in a neighboring town and a lot more space.
After reading about the organization’s need for a new location last December, Robert Pierce of R.A. Pierce Excavating offered land he owns at 46 Walnut Hill Parkway, Woodbank volunteer Bruce Wildes said in an interview June 2.
The Woodbank – which had to leave Cumberland’s Public Works facility due to the town’s need for more space there by 2017 – opened at the new site a month ago. The location is at least four times larger, with more room to grow if needed, and not close to residences, Wildes said.
“It’s great to have the space,” he noted. “It’s sad to be leaving the center of Cumberland, but the (new) space is fabulous.”
Despite the move, the Woodbank still has a stockpile of firewood at the old location that must be delivered before winter.
Always looking to expand its offerings, the Woodbank has launched a campaign to raise $10,000, about $6,000 of which will be put toward the purchase of a used shipping container. The container would be converted into a storage building for the Woodbank’s equipment, with a shop to maintain it.
The funds would also go toward supporting the organization’s maintenance, operations and repairs for the year.
Log onto woodbank.org, email cumberlandwoodbank@gmail.com, or call 747-2868 for more information.
Collecting donations of hardwood logs and firewood, the Woodbank processes the material and delivers it to area families in need who are able to burn firewood. The organization also sells firewood, putting all revenue toward fuel assistance for people in need who can’t burn wood.
Since the Woodbank caters to multiple Cumberland County towns, the “Cumberland” will remain in the organization’s title, Wildes said.
The Woodbank last year generated more than 100 cords of wood, and provided 45 families with more than $15,000 in fuel assistance, according to a press release from the organization.
Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.
The Cumberland Woodbank is moving to Walnut Hill Parkway in North Yarmouth. The organization, thanks to volunteers like Bruce Wildes, has provided fuel assistance to area families for nearly 10 years.
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