Our Neighborhood Rallies to Support Fire Victims

It’s been almost 2 weeks since the fire on Saturday, September 11th, on Blake Street in Lewiston. A 67 year old man lost his life, and twenty households, including 40+ school aged children, were displaced that night.

We shared early last week how our team of staff and volunteers were responding, and how you could get involved - loving these neighbors as yourself through these dark days and the weeks that will follow. So many of you responded, giving generously to our fund that will support these families over these few weeks.

We wanted to give you an update about what has happened so far and what the needs are at this point.
Right now, only a few families have been able to find new housing, with the remaining families being sheltered at local hotels funded by the City. Hotel rooms became difficult to come by earlier the week and for a time, it became very challenging to find anywhere that would could house these already displaced famlies. We contacted a few of our local church families and made the need known. A handful of families stepped up, housing several of the families for the past week, sharing what God as given them and blessing those in need - beautiful stuff in the middle of a tragedy.

It’s been amazing to see so many from the neighborhood and all across Lewiston come together, working along side each family as they sort through the difficult next steps. Our staff joined a huge effort to support these families - including The City of Lewiston, Lewiston Public Schools, our friends from St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, the American Red Cross, the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine and countless volunteers.

So many have given so much time, energy and resources over the last 12 days. It’s been an lesson in team work. Mumina, a new friend at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center have been pulling long hours preparing individual lunches and dinners for 50-70 people. These meals have been funded by the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, Prepared at St Mary’s Nutrition Center and delivered daily by Root Cellar volunteers and several volunteers from other organizations. Mattress and home goods have begun to be delivered to those who have found housing.

There are a few ways you can stay involved with this effort.

• Volunteer - We are still helping to coordinate and deliver meals. If you would like to help, please contact Alyssa@therootcellar.org or call 207-782-3659.

• Give - We are still accepting funds to support the fire victims. Every dollar will go to help these families start over. Click Here to give to our Blake Street Fire Victims Fund.

• Support Funeral Costs - Félicien Betu lost his life on September 11 during the fire. Henoc, a dear friend of The Root Cellar, was his room mate. He is working to raise funds for the funeral and burial costs and working to help Félicien’s family to come to the US for the burial. Click here to give to his GoFundMe.

• Pray

  • There is still much uncertainty about where the rest of the famlies will find permeant housing and begin to start over. Please join us in prayer for this situation, that each family would be able to find a space to cal home and begin again.

  • Pray for peace and comfort for these families. Each day is challenging and difficult and brings new uncertainties.

Thanks to many of you who have given, we have significant resources to bless each family. More to come on that - so stay tuned!