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Pictured, from left, are Angelo Sarkees, `Deposits for Food`; Joe Sbarbati, associate director at Community Missions; Sister Beth Brosmer, executive director of Heart, Love and Soul; Fran Giles, vice president of community relations at Modern Corp.; and Julie Whittemore, AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Community Missions.
Pictured, from left, are Angelo Sarkees, "Deposits for Food"; Joe Sbarbati, associate director at Community Missions; Sister Beth Brosmer, executive director of Heart, Love and Soul; Fran Giles, vice president of community relations at Modern Corp.; and Julie Whittemore, AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Community Missions.

'Deposits for Food' turns cans into cash for Heart & Soul, Community Missions

by jmaloni

Submitted

Wed, Nov 26th 2014 07:45 pm

Just in time for the holidays, Lewiston resident Angelo Sarkees and his "Deposits for Food" initiative presented donations totaling $3,000 to Heart, Love and Soul Food Pantry and Community Missions. The donations were the second checks the agencies have received from the program in 2014.

Deposits for Food began in August 2013 when Sarkees began collecting bottles, cans and scrap metal. Since that time, more than 50,000 bottles and cans, along with 10 to 15 tons of scrap metal, have been collected. The resulting deposits, along with support from Modern Corp. and Sevenson Environmental Services, have resulted in more than $6,000 in donations to Heart, Love and Soul and Community Missions.

Collections are expected to continue throughout the winter.

"Each time that we hear from Angelo Sarkees, we are blown away by the work that he has done," said Christian Hoffman, communications and development manager at Community Missions. "We are very fortunate to have community members offer such wonderful support of our services. We are so appreciative of his efforts and this donation, which comes at a vital time of year as we provide food to those in need."

Sarkees would like to thank sponsors Modern Corp. and Sevenson Environmental Services, along with Favorite's Pizza, The Spicey Pickle, The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q, Tin Pan Alley and the many private donors, relatives and friends who contacted him for collections. In addition, he would like to extend a special thanks to the Porter Cup committee for allowing the collection of depositable items during this year's tournament. Finally, thanks goes to Porter Empties Redemption Center in Ransomville, where more than 40,000 bottles and cans have been redeemed this year alone, for its 10 percent deposit premium.

"There are so many people and businesses that help to make this program a success, and I am appreciative of each of them," Sarkees said. "I must also thank all those who work at the two pantries; heroes all, and the true inspiration for 'Deposits for Food.' "

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