Poland Spring gives back during the holidays

POLAND — During this season of giving, Poland Spring Water Company is providing assistance to needy families in its host communities through employee and company contributions of time, gifts, food and funds.

"We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Bill Maples, Poland Spring's Northeast Operations Director and Hollis bottling plant manager. "We focus on giving back all year, but especially during the holidays. All of us feel strongly about helping as many of our neighbors in need as we can." Hollis plant employees donated 49 turkeys to two York County food pantries at Thanksgiving this year, and the plant is currently working with Hollis town officials to provide shoes and boots to local families in need. Hollis plant employees have also adopted three families over the holidays and will be providing Christmas gifts to these families' children.

The 40 employees at the company's newest bottling plant in Kingfield have been especially focused on volunteerism and "giving back" to community. Working with a local nonprofit called "Bridging the Gap" for the past 18 months, Poland Spring employees receive a monthly list of food items needed to prepare a home-delivered meal for 60 seniors. Poland Spring employees choose items from the list, then purchase or prepare the food. During December, employees also contribute to the "box of necessities" that accompanies the meal, which includes everything from toiletries, to home goods, to fresh and canned food. The Kingfield plant's employees have also sponsored three local families by purchasing and wrapping gifts this Christmas.

"The Poland Spring employees are faithful contributors to our monthly meal and always provide exactly what we need," said Pastor Connie Maginnis, co-coordinator of Bridging the Gap. "Their donations of food and other items are very important to the success of our senior meal delivery program, especially during the holiday season."

Over the holidays, the company's original plant in Poland works closely with the Poland Regional School system to identify children and parents who can't afford Christmas gifts in this tough economy. Poland Spring plant employees choose "ornaments" from a giving tree that contain gift wishes for members of local families. Employees purchase and wrap their wish list presents, which are then delivered to a local elementary school for distribution. "We've been doing this for several years, and it's a nice way to experience the true meaning of the season," said Ray Grady, Poland plant manager. Grady has set aside extra company funds to take care of any remaining gift wishes. Poland employees also gave turkeys to the Vineyard Church in Mechanic Falls for Thanksgiving dinners.

Since 1845, Poland Spring has been investing in Maine and creating good jobs using an abundant, renewable resource. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring, Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, which officially opened in January 2009, represents a $60 million investment and 40+ new jobs in western Maine. Poland Spring operates additional spring sources in Fryeburg, Poland, Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township, and St. Albans. Most recently, Poland Spring invested $4.1 million in a spring water station project in Fryeburg and Denmark. Today, Poland Spring employs nearly 800 full-time and seasonal workers across Maine; has invested nearly $500 million in capital in Maine since 1998; contributes nearly $40 million to the economy in annual payroll; spends almost $65 million directly with other Maine companies each year and has invested over $3.2 million in community giving since 2000 to support schools, fire and rescue, environmental conservation, and many local and statewide causes.

For more information about Poland Spring in Maine, please visit http://www.polandspringworksformaine.com/.