OXFORD — Maine’s Hats for Hope Initiative made its first donation of winter hats to the Helping Hands Food Pantry of Oxford.

The initiative was started by Oxford Hills resident Sarah Arsenault to provide hats, scarves, mittens and gloves to working poor and homeless throughout Maine.

Arsenault said she started the project after being inspired by a 17-year-old student from New Jersey who donated more than 3,400 items to that state since January.

“As donations started to come in, I began looking for places to distribute those donations. I had reached out to the Oxford Helping Hands, a newer food pantry in the Oxford area that had only recently opened in spring 2011, as they were already helping 35-50 families each week,” she said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to start than somewhere local so that we could begin helping in the lives of those families living in my area.”

Items will be given to food pantries, homeless shelters and outreach programs throughout the state. Items or yarn can be sent to P.O. Box 72, South Paris, ME 04281. Newly purchased and handmade items or yarn (no angora) are accepted. More information about Maine’s Hats for Hope Initiative can be found on its Facebook page.