Quite a few people I’ve talked with think that food stamps can buy anything – and that anyone can get them. Not true. Many senior citizens don’t qualify – and those who do receive a small amount – most times, less than $20 a month. Food is the only thing you can buy with food stamps – no cleaning products, either personal or household; no paper products, either. Windham Food Pantry has an increasing number of clients resulting in the need of personal hygiene products and dish and laundry detergent. The public has been wonderful responding to these requests and we hope you’ll again come forward. Call Madeline at 892-1931 if you have any questions.

A heart-warming event

From high school students to Windham Legislative delegation, many people are working on the early February “Warm Our Hearts” fundraiser being held by Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors to provide warmth via fuel for residents. Collection boxes will be distributed throughout the town by students who are also making the collection containers. Displays will be set up and donations collected at Shaw’s and Walmart on Feb. 11. More than 20 applications for emergency assistance were received in December. The need is great. WNHN, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has much more information on its website, www.windhamneighbors.org. Mail donations to WNHN, PO Box 1956, Windham, ME 04062.

Senior Center

I’m amazed at the number of people who have come together and joined the Lake Region Senior Center at the former Little Falls School in Gorham. Most of the members are from Windham and Gorham, but there are members from many of the Lakes towns. The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members enjoy a variety of activities Monday through Thursday. Mondays feature Coffee Cafe? ($1.50) and cribbage; Tuesdays it’s needlecraft, card games and a video exercise session at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, pickleball in the gym at 10 a.m. and scrapbooking at 1 p.m. On Thursdays, try snowshoeing at 10 a.m. (snowshoes provided). On Feb. 9, the movie “Mamma Mia” will be shown – popcorn provided. A blood pressure clinic is offered on Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. followed by a potluck luncheon. Any senior in the Lakes Region can join. Stop in for information. For more information, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or call Glenn at 893-9088.

Cancer Support Group meets

On Monday, Jan. 30, Windham Cancer Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Road. This informal meeting will be spent getting to know one another and sharing experiences. Cancer victims, survivors, caregivers of anyone dealing with cancer, are welcome. For directions or if you have questions, call 892-7750 or check Facebook.

Spaghetti Supper

A spaghetti supper and live music fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, 6-8 p.m. at Windham Veterans Center located behind Hannaford. Public invited. Supper benefits local Youth Service Mission Trip to Crow Reservation, Montana this summer. Featuring Lisa Gallant Seal band and Peter Michael Talbot band. Sponsored by Global Harvest Outreach. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children under 12 at 712-7371 or at the door.

Alumni Association meets

Windham High School Alumni Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the high school guidance office conference room. All alumni are welcome to help plan the annual banquet on May 19 and discuss alumni activities. WHSAA is the oldest continuously meeting organization in Windham!

American Legion meeting

Windham Field-Allen Post 148 will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Veterans Center in North Windham. A 5 p.m. social hour will be followed at 6 p.m. by a business meeting. Refreshments will be a buffet of casseroles and meatloaf. It would be greatly appreciated if members can bring a favorite refreshment item for an eclectic dinner. New members are most welcome.

Chili Challenge

The second annual Chili Challenge will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1-5 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church on Route 302. Plenty of parking in the back. $7 for adults, $4 for children under 12, payable at the door. Contestants include students from local culinary programs, Rustler’s, Buck Naked BBQ, A La Mexicana, local residents and others. Proceeds benefit the Windham Community Garden. For more information, visit www.windhamcommunitygarden.org.

Information on Medicare, taxes, food stamps, fuel assistance

On Tuesdays, Feb. 7 and 21, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) will offer a Medicare seminar and counseling for the Lakes Region at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. A “Welcome to Medicare” seminar is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition, there will be one-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seminar and counseling are intended to help sort through Medicare options, answer questions – and to help people enroll. Every Tuesday a Benefit Specialist will also be available at the church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to Medicare assistance, Owen O’Donnell will provide benefit counseling (tax and rent rebate, food stamps, fuel assistance, etc.) for area residents. Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for the upcoming seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Medicare Advocate or the Benefit Specialist at 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same times and location in March and April. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available including Meals on Wheels.

Bean supper

On Saturday, Feb. 4, a baked bean supper will be held at White Rock Community Club, Wilson Road in Gorham. The public is invited to these “first Saturday” suppers held January through June, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The menu includes two kinds of beans (pea and kidney), cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, homemade biscuits and pies. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

Thrift shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the church, on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner, regular hours are 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

Free clothing

Windham Food Pantry/Clothes Closet has received many donations of used clothing for children, men and women of all ages. The hours have been expanded to Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and all other days by appointment. If you wish to take advantage of the free clothing available, please call 892-1931 if you have any questions. The facility is located on Route 202 (Gray Road) across from Friends Church and next door to the Public Safety Building. Warm, clean jackets, shoes, hats, purses and much, much more!