|Julie Fralich|
The GNG Community Connectors have been making lots of local connections as they distribute Emergency Supply Kits to various groups and organizations in Gray and New Gloucester. In November 2024, the Town of Gray and the GNG Connectors (through BLING) received a grant from Lifelong Maine to purchase supplies and bags for an Emergency Supply Kit.
In January, volunteers from the Gray and New Gloucester Food Pantries, the GNG High School Community Service Club and volunteers from the community, with help from the GNG Recreation Department, assembled the Emergency Supply Kits for area organizations.The kits consist of a bright orange colored “grab and go” bag packed with a solar powered AM/FM radio with a whistle and a light, a lantern, a large mylar sleeping bag, a can opener, cans of tuna fish, and hand warmers.
The Emergency Supply Kits have been distributed, based on anticipated needs, to the EMS/Public Safety departments of Gray and New Gloucester (20 kits each); the Gray and New Gloucester Food Pantries, (65 and 24 kits); the New Gloucester AMVETs (10 kits), and the Gray American Legion (32 kits). Each group will distribute kits to their members and/or participants who may be most in need during a power outage or other emergency.
This is part of similar efforts across Maine and the nation to ensure that older adults are safe and their needs are met during extreme weather events and natural disasters. AARP has developed a Disaster Resilience Tool Kit as a guide for local leaders to reduce risks and better protect those in need. Recent storms of 2023 and 2024 highlighted the vulnerability of the infrastructure of many towns including Gray and New Gloucester. The strong winds, extensive rains, and flooding left downed trees, washed out roads, ditches and culverts, and prolonged power outages
Those receiving the kits have been very excited to receive them and some have returned asking if more were available for other friends or family members.
At this time, there are extra kits available. If you know of someone who would benefit from having an Emergency Supply Kit, please get in touch with GNG Connectors Cindy Slocum (572-2794) or Lori Fowler (572-6493).
