The Lake Region Wood Bank (LRWB) is expanding its operations to a second site through a new agreement with the Town of Bridgton. The agreement will allow LRWB to use part of town-owned land behind the old Memorial School on Depot Street, creating additional space to process, store, and distribute firewood to households in the Lake Region experiencing heating insecurity.

The Lake Region Wood Bank provides free, low-barrier emergency firewood to individuals and families needing emergency assistance to heat their homes. What began in 2024 as a small effort by Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) to provide free firewood to Lake Region households has grown into a community-powered network of volunteers, donors, businesses, and local organizations. LELT continues to host the program as a fiscal and operational sponsor.

The Wood Bank has distributed more than 45 cords of firewood to households across the Lake Region since October. Community members and local businesses donate trees and firewood while volunteers cut, split, stack, and deliver wood. Local businesses have also contributed equipment and materials, and community partners connect households to firewood. LRWB also purchases seasoned firewood from local firewood producers to help meet the significant need and support local processors.

"The Town of Bridgton is pleased to do a small part to support the Wood Bank and all their volunteers in assisting our community during these challenging times. This agreement does this, and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Bridgton Town Manager Donny Kasprzak. “The Bridgton community is very generous and helpful when the need is there for our neighbors and friends."

The new site represents an important next step in the program's growth, providing much-needed room for equipment, firewood processing, and storage. Currently, the Wood Bank operates out of a site owned by Bridgton’s UCC First Church on South High Street. LRWB will continue to utilize that site to store and distribute wood in addition to the new site.

"The Wood Bank has grown into what it is today because people from every corner of our community have stepped up to help,” shared Maggie Lynn, Director of Partnerships with Loon Echo Land Trust. “This new space will allow us to continue to grow and serve more families. We're grateful to the Town of Bridgton for their support and partnership."

“We’re excited that the new space will allow us to host opportunities for more volunteers to get involved with the wood bank,” said Ed Pontbriand, one of LRWB’s volunteer leaders. “One of the best parts of volunteering here is meeting people from across the community.”

Many local individuals, businesses, and organizations have contributed to make the wood bank what it is today, including Bridgton UCC First Church, Bridgton Community Center, Lake Region Recovery Center, The Opportunity Alliance, Khiel Logging & Firewood, Maine Wood Banks Network, Hayes Ace Hardware, Ziminsky Rubbish Removal, Muddy River Signs, Five Fields Farm, Sapphire Land & Tree Services, Hutch’s Property & Tree, Bell’s Firewood, and Q-Team Tree Services.

The Town of Bridgton's contribution of space is an important investment in the Wood Bank's future. Now, community support is needed to equip the new space with a storage container, additional wood splitters, wheelbarrows, and other essential equipment and supplies. These investments will help volunteers process, move, and store more firewood efficiently, increasing the Wood Bank's capacity to prepare for future heating seasons. Donations can be made online, or checks made out to Loon Echo Land Trust (Memo: Lake Region Wood Bank) can be mailed to 8 Depot Street, Bridgton, ME 04009.

Volunteer Workday - 11/14/26

Community members are invited to celebrate this next chapter and lend a hand at a volunteer workday at the new site on Saturday, November 14, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. After brief remarks, volunteers will assist with site set-up and help split and stack wood. New volunteers are welcome, and all training will be provided.

- Volunteers should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty and bring work gloves. Extra safety gear and gloves are available to borrow.
- Parking is available at Stevens Brook Elementary School.

About the Wood Bank

The Lake Region Wood Bank serves households in Bridgton, Brownfield, Casco, Denmark, Fryeburg, Harrison, Lovell, Naples, Raymond, Sebago, Sweden, and Waterford. The Wood Bank is still accepting requests for firewood assistance, but based on current inventory and demand, anticipates running out of seasoned firewood before January 1. 

Donations of wood and financial contributions are especially important as winter approaches. To donate, contribute firewood, or learn more about getting involved, visit lelt.org/woodbank or email woodbank@lelt.org. Households seeking firewood assistance should visit lelt.org/woodbank to learn how to request assistance. 

At its heart, the Wood Bank is about community care. Everyone needs support at different times, and everyone has something to contribute. We take care of each other no matter what, that’s the Maine way.