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About Us
About us
In 2007, the Cumberland Wood Bank was started because a new widow who had no furnace or firewood for her wood stove, was starting to burn her furniture, in one of the wealthiest communities in the State. In 2020, the founder of Cumberland's wood bank moved to Topsham. He quickly identified a need for another wood bank. He found another volunteer who wanted to start a wood bank in Freeport. Cumberland helped Topsham and Topsham helped Freeport. Soon, it became clear that a network of wood banks would provide efficiencies, scale, and greater collaboration. The University of Maine's Forestry Dept is helping to provide research and resources.
There are 12 existing independent wood banks in Maine today, mostly along the coastline. Our goal is to create a network that provides greater efficiencies, lower costs, greater scale and collaboration to the existing wood banks, while providing lower start-up costs and faster launch times for new wood banks who can use our 'wood bank in a box' model.
Network Services
· A page on the network website and/or a link to the member’s site (plus support for developing a member website.)
· One phone line extension to a central phone number (see Ooma).
· Access to insurance policy volume discount.*
· Access to Network legal team.*
· Accounting and bookkeeping.*
· Purchasing Cooperative: access to volume purchasing of saws. splitters, chain, parts, safety equipt.
· Fundraising support. Statewide and multilocation organizations
· Promotional materials support* (printing, swag, branding)
· Communications & Public Relations
· Safety training
· Access to shared equipment, volunteers, and wood.
· Connection to Trade Groups & Professional Orgs. (Maine Woodland Owners, Alliance for Green Energy, Maine Municipal Association, etc.)
· Wood Bank in a Box: everything listed above, plus support from the members for identifying work site space, basic tools and supplies for initial startup, funding sources. Forming partnerships.
· * additional charges or fees may occur depending upon the level of service provided.
Maine Facts
- Maine is the most heavily forested State in the nation at 89%.
- Half of Maine households burn wood for some of their heat.
- 63 Maine towns are prime candidates for wood banks.
- At least 13% burn wood for their primary heat source.
- At least 20% spend more than 30% of their household income on housing expenses. (mortgage, utilities, heat, etc.). Doesn't include rentals.
- In 2023, 10.4% of Maine's population was living in poverty.
- Firewood is a local renewable resource.
Resources
National Wood Bank Project
National Wood Bank Project: From community development to disaster relief, our programs provide support to those who need it most. Your donation can help us fund critical initiatives and make a difference in the world.
National Wood Bank Summit
On Friday, September 15, 2023, the National Wood Bank Project hosted a national summit to bring together firewood banks from across the country. Like food banks, but for fuel wood, wood banks provide crucial emergency heating assistance in the form of firewood. Volunteers often cut, split, and distribute the wood to those in need.
Alliance for Green Heat
Funding for firewood banks is now available. The Alliance for Green Heat is partnering with the USDA to implement a program to provide small grants to existing firewood banks. For more information and to apply to funding, click here.
Crooker Construction
A major landowner and employer in the area , Crooker provides the worksite as well as any hardwood logs they harvest.
Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our mission with your friends and family. Follow us on social media and invite others to join our community.
Join Our Team
If you're passionate about making a difference, join our team and become part of the Wood Banks Network family. We're always looking for dedicated individuals to help us achieve our goals.