Applications for Habitat for Humanity York County’s three remaining homes, to be built on Island Avenue, are available at Goodall Library, Springvale Library, the Sanford branches of Kennebunk Savings and Lighthouse Credit Union, and Partners Bank branch offices in Sanford, south Sanford, and Springvale. Photo: Habitat for Humanity York County
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
H4H to break ground on Island Avenue project: Habitat for Humanity York County invites the community to celebrate the creation of a new five-home neighborhood on Island Avenue in Sanford at a free Community Lunch and Groundbreaking Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, noon to 2 pm. The family-friendly event will feature a hot dog lunch and Halloween goodie bags for guests in costume. At 1 pm, neighbors, supporters, volunteers, and future homeowners will gather for a ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the five affordable homes planned for the site — Habitat York County’s largest homebuilding project to date. Construction is slated to begin in November.
Homeowners have been selected for two of the homes, and applications are open for the remaining three. Habitat homebuyers, earning 50 – 80% of area median income, purchase their homes with affordable mortgages and partner with Habitat throughout the process, including helping build their homes. Qualified applicants can purchase a new, energy-efficient home featuring heat pumps, stainless-steel appliances, and full basements with monthly mortgage payments capped at 29 – 30% of household income, and may be as low as $1,250 per month. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 30. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit www.habitatyorkcounty.org/homeownership.
They fought to bring about social change: Goodall Memorial Library will host a four-part series on the Black Panthers, presented by the Center for Radical Transformation. The series, titled “Transformation Underground: The Black Panthers,” will explore some of the organization’s principles, methods of organizing, mutual aid programs, and acts of resistance. This series, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of The Black Panther Party, will be held 5 – 7 pm on Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 in the library’s Rothwell Community Room.
Movie in the Park moves indoors, rescheduled for Oct. 30: The free Movie in the Park, presented by Sanford Parks and Recreation, has been rescheduled. Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” will now be shown on Friday, Oct. 30, 6 – 8 pm indoors at Memorial Gym. Bring your blankets, chairs, food and non-alcoholic drinks and enjoy the show. While the event is free, registration is requested for planning purposes. Register in advance at sanfordme.myrec.com.
A special appeal for Sanford families: This month, two Sanford men were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mainers for Humane Immigration (MHI) of Springvale has put out a special appeal to provide support to both families whose loved ones are in ICE custody. With household income lost and legal fees mounting, the families are struggling to cover rent, utilities, and the cost of fighting for their loved ones’ release. To help these two local families, donations can be made at mainersforhumaneimmigration.org. Note that your gift is for “Sanford Families” in the “Write us a comment” field. MHI has helped nearly 300 ICE-detained Mainers with commissary funds (for food, water, phone), location tracing, advocacy, and/or emergency aid to families.
SMTI seeks fundraising volunteer: Southern Maine Technology Initiative, formerly known as LeClair Technology Initiative, is looking for someone to help with fundraising, donations and social media. The organization offers cost-free services to small businesses and residents to help support community development, economic development, and environmental safety. The volunteer work can be done either at their new location in Waterboro or remotely. If interested in helping them carry out their mission, email info@southernmainetech.org for more information.
Food drive aims to restock shelves early: The Sanford Food Pantry is holding a food drive during the month of October. Canned items (tuna, meat, chicken, beef stew, spam, hash, vegetables, baked beans, soup), boxed items (pasta, cereal, stuffing, instant potatoes), canned coffee, pancake mix and syrup, Chef Boyardee products, peanut butter and jelly, flour, sugar, and vegetable oil are in need. Donations can be dropped off at Partners Bank branches (Sanford, south Sanford and Springvale), York County Community College (Sanford and Wells campuses), Lighthouse Credit Union (Sanford), Sanford Water District, Senior Planning Center, Law Office of Edward J. Titcomb, and Central Furniture. Volunteers will also be collecting food on Oct. 30 and 31 at Walmart, Shaw’s and Hannaford. Anyone interested in volunteering should call the Sanford Food Pantry at 207-324-3134.
Industrial Development Task Force discussions available: The Sanford Water District has been actively involved in the city’s Industrial Development Standards Task Force, which was created following the petitioned moratoriums on data centers and sludge processing facilities. In an Oct. 16 social media post, SWD noted that the task force completed its work and will send a draft ordinance to the Planning Board for review. There will be opportunities for public comment during the Planning Board process and again when the City Council reviews the resulting draft. To stay up to date, review the meeting minutes and discussions of the task force at sanfordmaine.org.
Support for homeless pets: During the month of October, Pet Supplies Plus at the Center for Shopping, 1364 Main St. in Sanford, is accepting donations of pet food and treats for dogs and cats, flea and tick items, grooming items, supplies such as paper towels, trash bags, laundry detergent, and other items, including gift cards, cat/dog crates, office supplies, and pet toys. All donations benefit the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. For more information, including a complete list of items in need, visit the Facebook page for Pet Supplies Plus – Sanford, ME.
Heating fuel assistance for low-income households: For those who rely on oil to heat their homes, it’s no surprise that prices are up significantly from one year ago. As of Oct. 13, 2026, the statewide average cost of heating oil in Maine was $5.97 per gallon, up from $3.31 per gallon last year at this time, according to data from the Maine Department of Energy Resources — an 80% increase in one year. In fact, March 2, 2026, was the last time the department listed the statewide average under $4 per gallon in Maine.
To help low-income Maine households and seniors heat their homes, a total of $42 million has been earmarked for assistance, with $38 million in federal money for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding and $4 million from MaineHousing for early Home Energy Assistance Program payments to fuel vendors in anticipation of increased demand. These early payments enable fuel vendors to begin making deliveries, ensuring that homes have heating fuel before the colder weather sets in. For more information on how to apply for heating fuel assistance, contact York County Community Action Corp. at 207-459-2950 or apply online at MaineHousing.org.
Crime doesn’t pay: On Oct. 19, Cori Godin, 47, of Sanford was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland to 18 months in prison for theft of government money. The prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. also ordered Godin to pay $37,105 in restitution. Godin pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2025. According to court records, Godin falsely claimed to be unemployed in order to receive pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits.
So many books, so little time: Sanford and Springvale are fortunate to have several library options available. In addition to Goodall Memorial Library and Springvale Public Library, community members may also visit Sanford Community Adult Education’s library to find their next read. The SCAE library at 668 Main St. also offers a unique twist. There are no library cards, no fees, and if you find a book you love, you can keep it.
In this case, “vote early and often” is encouraged: AgeMaine, formerly known as Southern Maine Agency on Aging, has been selected as one of 20 local nonprofits competing for a “Better Neighbor Fund” grant, offered by Town & Country Federal Credit Union. The nonprofits that receive the most votes through the credit union’s online program will receive a grant. For AgeMaine, which has been helping the community for more than 50 years, additional funding would support their programs for older adults and family caregivers in southern Maine. You can cast a vote for AgeMaine once per day, every day, through Oct. 31 at tcfcu.com.
Sanford parish helps those struggling with high fuel prices: Father Bill Labbe of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish has created a Heat Assistance Fund to help those struggling to heat their homes this winter. Donations to the fund will be accepted through May 1. Anyone wishing to contribute can visit stthereseparishmaine.org, enter an amount, select “Fuel” and complete the payment information to donate online.
It’s five stars for two Sanford nursing homes: Both Summer Commons and Pinnacle Health and Rehab received “excellent” five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The overall rating is a composite score combining separate ratings for state health inspections, staffing levels and staff turnover, and quality measures. CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and identify areas where asking questions may be beneficial.
Put your creativity to the test: The City of Sanford needs help coming up with names for the new snowplows that have been added to the city fleet. Community members of all ages are invited to submit creative names inspired by Sanford, Springvale, Maine winters, or a clever snowplow pun. Multiple submissions from each entrant are allowed. Once submissions close, Sanford Public Works will choose three winning names to be displayed on the new plows this winter. Remember, all submissions must be family-friendly and appropriate for display on a city vehicle. The submission deadline is Nov. 15. Review the guidelines and submit your names at sanfordmaine.org.
Vote early and avoid the lines: Early absentee voting is still available at Sanford City Hall, 919 Main St. in the third floor conference room. Regular absentee voting hours are Monday – Thursday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Extended hours are Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 am – noon. The last day to vote absentee in person is Thursday, Oct. 29, when City Hall will remain open until 7 pm.
Those needing to register should bring identification and proof of residency with them. Absentee ballots may also be taken home and returned by mail or through the City Hall drop box. All completed absentee ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Visit sanfordmaine.org for more voting and election information.
Veterans’ 2026 benefits booklet now available: Earlier this month, the Department of Veterans Affairs released the 2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors and Caregivers. The guide, available in both print and digital formats, provides information on most VA benefits and services, including compensation, life insurance, pension, education benefits, mental health resources, and more. To access the booklet, visit Department.VA.gov.
Book donations get the big green light: Springvale Public Library is once again accepting book donations. Books that are in good shape are welcome. Textbooks and books that are dusty, musty, moldy or damaged will not be accepted.
Fall registration is open at the YMCA: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA has released its Fall Program Guide – Session 2, which runs Nov. 2 – Dec. 19. Take a look and sign up for the programs and events that interest you. Registration opened on Oct. 19. Visit sanfordymca.org and click on “Fall 2 Program Guide” to download a copy.
Main Street Memo – Edition 78 is now available: Be in the know about the latest news and announcements in Sanford. Access the latest publication here.
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