GOOD WORKS: Two wood banks to donate 115 cords this winter

‘Heat matters. Heat is life or death’

The Downeast Wood Bank volunteers returning to work after their 15-minute break on Oct. 10. Photo by Maizy Weirich

Oct. 14, 2026

By Maizy Weirich

There are two wood banks on the peninsula, one in Castine and one in Surry. Both banks act similarly to a food pantry, as they prepare and stack wood that is then available for pickup throughout the late fall until early spring for those in need of heating assistance. 

Both wood banks allow an individual to take up to a half cord of wood every month.

The Downeast Wood Bank, which works from land provided by Blue Hill Heritage Trust, began serving eight neighboring towns in 2021: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Ellsworth, Lamoine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton. 

But if anyone outside of those towns needs help staying warm, Tom Matthews, a volunteer and president of the board at the Downeast Wood Bank, said they will do what they can to help. 

The Castine Wood Bank has been active for over a decade. Pedrick Sweet, a volunteer and cofounder, said they serve residents between Bucksport and Castine, as well as Brookville, Sedgwick, and occasionally Deer Isle. 

The two wood banks expect to donate over 115 cords of wood to those in need this winter. Both Matthews and Sweet predict a busy winter. 

“Last winter we gave out about 75 or 80 cords. This year we got well over 100 cords on the ground ready to go,” Matthews said. 

Matthews said he believes that high oil prices are one reason for a higher need for wood supply. 

Volunteers gather around the wood splitter in Surry. Photo by Maizy Weirich.

The Downeast Wood Bank has split and stacked 100 cords during the previous year’s volunteer hours, meaning the wood has had time to season and dry, burning more efficiently. 

Starting Oct. 17, individuals may start to pick up wood by appointment at the Downeast Wood Bank. But some volunteers have already started to pitch in with deliveries.

One such person was heather May, a volunteer who delivered wood on Oct. 10.

“I’ve had 70 surgeries. I can’t volunteer here; I can’t cut the wood. But I’ve got a truck,” May said. “I can deliver. And if that’s the way I contribute, that’s what I do.”

What the wood bank provides, May explains, is essential to local communities. 

“Heat matters. Heat is life or death,” May said. “For me, cold is painful. Especially when you’re disabled, it just sucks the soul right out of ya,” May said. “It’s demoralizing, and when you already got health issues, it makes them more complicated.”

Both wood banks have weekly volunteer sessions throughout the year. Matthews said the wood bank is always on the lookout for new volunteers “whether they’re 18 or 81.”

The Downeast Wood Bank typically ranges from 15 to 25 volunteers on any given work day, and the Castine Wood Bank operates with even fewer volunteers. 

“I suffer from a dearth of volunteers,” Sweet said. “We have work crews from anywhere to two to five or six people.” 

Volunteers at the Castine Wood Bank. Photo courtesy of the Castine Wood Bank.

The Downeast Wood Bank volunteer hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11 each Saturday, and the Castine Wood Bank operates from 8 a.m. to 10 every Saturday and Wednesday morning on a plot of land in Castine.

If interested in joining the Castine Wood Bank, call Sweet: (207) 326-4924.

For the Downeast Wood Bank, Matthews urges people to “just show up” at their location: 23 Jills Lane in Surry

Tony Aman, a volunteer and board member of the Downeast Wood Bank, emphasized that increased volunteers are important, but also just a piece of what the community needs. 

The Downeast Wood Bank is operating at almost capacity with wood storage.

“We really would like more communities to start their own wood banks. And one of our services is to go around to other communities who are thinking about it, and just discuss with them what the strategies are, and what the problems might be,” Aman said.

Aman said that the challenge is organizing the wood bank, like fundraising, setting up a registered nonprofit, and acquiring space needed for wood storage. But once that is in place, the impact can begin. 

“Volunteers will come if you build it,” Aman said.

On Oct. 10, during one of the Downeast Wood Bank's work hours, they hosted an educational mini workshop during their break period. Physical therapist couple, Glenn and Joanne McPherson, demonstrated to the group how to maintain a neutral spine in order to prevent injury during tasks such as wood cutting. 

Joanne McPherson demonstrates how to maintain a “back-friendly environment.” Photo by Maizy Weirich.

Holding a model spine, Joanne demonstrated how individuals can maintain a “back-friendly environment,” as opposed to posture that may encourage a high level of bending and twisting, which makes individuals more susceptible to injury. 

After the workshop, and before the rest of the morning's work, there were cookies. 

“We want to be able to help our community. But we want our volunteers to be safe and efficient while working here as well,” Matthews said.

Mary Chapman, a Downeast Wood Bank volunteer and secretary of the board, helps organize pickups throughout the fall and winter. 

Individuals who need wood can call the Downeast Wood Bank at (207) 812-4472 or email downeastwoodbank@yahoo.com  to get in touch with Chapman about wood pickup. Chapman said she will ask a couple of questions about residency and the context of need. 

“Initially we thought it would just be a crisis situation. But a crisis to us is if you’re not warm,” Chapman said. “People could be waiting for a boiler. They could be waiting for a stove to be delivered. They could be waiting for their health or a financial situation to change. So we’ll help them along.”

The Castine Wood Bank can also be reached at (207) 326-9596 to make an appointment for wood pick-up. Pickups at both banks are by appointment only. 

As the woodbanks continue to serve the community, additional volunteers appear to be coming together for the wood bank itself.

“One of the nicest things that have happened here, and we all see it, is the network of folks who come to get donated firewood, and how they’ll help other people,” Chapman said. 

Both wood banks also accept donations of firewood, as well as monetary donations to then purchase additional wood or equipment. 

“We’re just a group of people. We’re not affiliated with anybody but ourselves and the community,” Chapman said. “People around this community are used to helping people.”

-This story was made possible with the support of The Opportunity Fund. GOOD WORKS is a series featuring non-profit organizations in the peninsula.