DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society will host its first Golden Paw Humane Awards on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Royal Oak Room on Bates Street in Lewiston.

There will be a social hour with a silent auction and photo booth from 5-6 p.m. followed by an Italian dinner buffet by Grazi to Go, comedy by Mark Turcotte and the awards presentation. Tickets are $65. Please come support needy pets at the society.

For more information, go to https://gahumane.org/goldenpawawards/. – Katie, Lewiston

ANSWER: I believe there is still time for you to sign up your business as a sponsor of this event, as well. There are so many ways to help the society by donating money or items, volunteering, or fostering or adopting a pet. I hope you’ll seriously consider it.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are writing to ask for help from our community members. We are seeking more volunteers from Franklin and Oxford counties to work with our elderly clients ages 70-90 who are waiting for someone to visit them, provide companionship and to help them with their grocery shopping and  errands.

We really need support for some of our seniors in the Carthage, Dixfield, Farmington, Livermore Falls/Jay, Rumford and Strong areas. It would be great to have volunteers from these communities.

SEARCH, which Seek Elderly Alone, Renew, Courage and Hope, is a program of Catholic Charities. We have wonderful volunteers who are matched to our elderly clients. They provide three to four hours a week to a senior by providing home visits or by assisting them with transportation for their grocery shopping or errands.

If you are interested in volunteering with the elderly, we would love to talk to you about joining our program and volunteering with us. For more information about becoming a SEARCH volunteer with us, call our Jay office at 200-0844. We will send you a volunteer application and brochure. We hope that you will join our program by becoming a volunteer and help make a difference in the life of a senior in your community. — Wendy, program director, no town

ANSWER: Here’s yet another great opportunity to volunteer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The High Street Food Pantry has ongoing needs for the following items: peanut butter, canned vegetables, soup, canned pasta such as spaghetti, ravioli, canned meats, canned fruit, dry cereal, baking items such as mixes, sugar, flour, and soup and crackers, and toilet paper.

Thank you for supporting this mission and helping local people meet their most basic needs. Please drop off donations at the Auburn United Methodist Church at 439 Park Ave. in Auburn or contact the church office at 782-3972. — George, no town

ANSWER: I have a friend who skips buying coffee at shops, makes it at home and uses the money saved to purchase items for her local food pantry once a month. She said the feeling she gets from doing this is better than any store-bought caffeinated beverage and she doesn’t have a bunch of disposable cups cluttering up her vehicle.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.