Bags For Bangor Looks To Repurpose Newspaper Machines

I love this idea for so many reasons. If you haven’t heard, here is the short story.  A few months ago a Bangor designer, Andrea Beaulieu came up with the idea of putting together bags of snacks and toiletries for those in need and leaving them accessible to anyone to pick up that needed them. Andrea has branded it ‘Bags for Bangor’. ‘Bags for Bangor’ is such a blissfully simple idea and yet these random acts of kindness have really taken hold. According to Andrea, co–owner of the business Studio Linear and starter of the project they are looking to expand the service/assistance by repurposing a pair of retired newspaper dispensers. The ‘Bags for Bangor’ ditty bags contain daily needs like shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes and other basics and are free to anyone in need. Up to this point Andrea had garnered donations from local merchants, companies, schools and individuals at her 60 May St. office then sorted them into clear plastic baggies and delivered them to Bangor’s homeless shelters. Bags also were left in boxes on downtown sidewalks. However, wishing to make the gifts available 12 months a year she sought out and was donated two unused newspaper dispensers to replace the cardboard boxes by the Bangor Daily News. Reported by the BDN, Andrea says “The donations are still coming in constantly.” And she is looking for volunteers to work with her family to sort through and distribute the bags. Click here if you’d like to know more.