ORONO, Maine (WABI) – The Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund held the Black Bear Bazaar Saturday morning at the Keith Anderson Building on Bennoch Rd. in Orono.
The event took place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and was designed to bring together and uplift community members who have products that they want to sell.
The event also served as a fundraiser, with some percentage of all items sold going to benefit the work that they do for the community.
The Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund helps to redistribute funding to students, faculty, and staff from the University of Maine who are facing financial hardship.
Once they have received enough funding, they open their funding request form so that people can apply to receive help.
“We redistribute funding and we also organize fun and educational events on campus. We’re really trying to make this community feel supported and connected, and do education about what is mutual aid and what are some of the hardships that people are facing on campus. We’re really trying to destigmatize financial insecurity and bring people together to lift each other up in times of need and also in times of abundance,” said Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund Founder Tamra Benson.
The Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, and since their founding in 2023 they have managed to redistribute nearly $15,000 dollars.
If you would like to help the Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund in their mission, or if you or someone you know could potentially benefit from their services
You can visit their website at blackbearmutualaid.org
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