Contact us
Have any questions? Please see our FAQs.
If you still have questions, reach out to us by filling out our contact form!
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When are you open for donations?
CHECK OUR DONATIONS PAGE FOR CURRENT HOURS.
Maine Needs closes in observance of all federal holidays.
Where are you located?
2385 Congress Street, Portland
What are you currently accepting?
You can always reference current needs, updated weekly, here.
Is there easy parking?
Yes!
Are the listed kits the ones you currently need?
Yes! We update them each season as needs arise and would absolutely love you to make some with your friends, family or coworkers, they mean a lot to the people that receive them. Currently Needed Kits.
Do you accept gently used items!
Yes! Mostly! But we welcome new too. If you want to buy new, please buy things that are hard to come by gently used. Like large pots, diapers, diaper wipes, pads, new underwear, warm socks, zero degree sleeping bags, waterproof tents, adult snow boots, kids snow pants, plus size lounge pants, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Order our most needed items here!
Do you accept highchairs, cribs, pack n plays, jogging strollers, ride on toys or changing tables?
No, but Lots for Tots in Falmouth and Scarborough does! You can sell with them and they have a Maine Needs Fund on site to donate to! Neither of us can accept car seats due to liability but you can post unexpired car seats on Facebook marketplace.
Do you accept bikes?
No, but gear hub does and they are amazing! Gear Hub Portland
Do you pick up donations?
No. We are volunteer-powered and that's not something we want to take on anytime soon. You can always post in the Better Together Country Groups!
Do you accept furniture or large appliances?
No but other local organizations do! Check out Furniture Friends & Habitat Restore.
Can we ship gently used items to you?
If you are not close to Portland but want to help, we’d love to help you find a place closer to you to donate gently used items. Send us a message!
How do you reach people who are going without these basics?
We partner with caseworkers, teachers, nurses, street outreach teams and other care providers. They submit request on behalf of those they support and our volunteers gather items to send to them at no cost.
Who do you help?
Our focus began in 2018 with asylum seeking mothers raising young children in a new country. That’s what initially pulled at our hearts but soon we realized that the needs of asylum seeking mothers in Maine were the same basic needs that so many individuals and families had. Our focus now is helping families and individuals, both housed and unhoused, Mainer or immigrant throughout Maine. Almost every family we are connected to is struggling to afford cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothes for their growing kids, let alone art supplies, toys, children’s books, diapers, wipes, winter gear, sunscreen, tick spray etc. We work with people leaving domestic violence, people leaving incarceration, often immediately becoming homeless, veterans, asylum seekers, refugees, families, kids and any individual in need of the items we collect.
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Where are you located?
2385 Congress Street, Portland
Is there easy parking?
Yes!
Can I just volunteer once or twice or do I have to commit?
You can absolutely volunteer once or twice or you can come regularly! See current shifts and sign up here. We'd love to have you be part of this effort!
Can I volunteer with my kids?
Definitely, if you feel comfortable with your kiddo volunteering at Maine Needs, we do too! Our volunteers range from newborns and toddlers to middle schoolers, high schoolers all the way to retired folks in their 70s and 80s! Responsible teenagers are welcome to volunteer on their own if that's something you and they feel comfortable with! *disclaimer: we are not babysitters and can not be responsible for looking after your kids. Hope that makes sense!
A bunch of us want to volunteer together, how can we arrange this?
Each shift maxes at out at 12 volunteers. We would love to have you and your coworkers or friends! Sign up a week in advance with up to 12 volunteers and there should be plenty of spots available, especially during weekdays. Click here to sign up.
Do you have a phone number?
No, but you can always reach us via email. Please help us out by referencing the website first to see if the answer to your question can be answered there.
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Are you a 501c3 nonprofit?
We are! As of October 2020, we became a 501c3 and opened a free community donation center in Portland Maine. In September of 2021, we doubled in size. EIN 84-4746926 Mailing address: P.O Box 4174 Portland Maine 04101 Tax deductible receipts are sent via email if you donate online and via mail if you mail a check. Secure link to donate here.
Do you have a Tax Deductible Receipt for ‘In Kind’ donations?
How much of the money donated is used to pay employees?
We currently have five paid employees.
Our Communications Director works to drive in-kind donations, engage with the community, and advocate for the needs of Mainers.
Our Inventory & Logistics Manager ensures we have access to the most needed resources when they’re requested and cultivates partnerships with businesses and corporations to source in-kind donations of high-quality essentials.
Our Volunteer Program Manager works onsite with our growing, diverse volunteer population to coordinate shifts, projects and daily tasks and get your donations out the door to those going without.
Our Finance Manager works behind the scenes managing our growing donor database and ensuring your monetary donations are being put to use efficiently and with respect to our mission.
Our Executive Director guides the vision of Maine Needs, supporting staff and ensuring growth through implementing new ideas, goals and ways to build our community effort. Every other person involved with Maine Needs is a volunteer lending their time and energy to support their community. In 2023, we had over 1,500 people come volunteer with us! Donate here!
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Where are you located?
2385 Congress Street, Portland
When are you open for donations?
Check maineneeds.org/donations for current hours.
Maine Needs closes in observance of all federal holidays.
Do you have a phone number?
No, but you can always reach us via email. Please help us out by referencing the website first to see if the answer to your question can be answered there.
How do you reach people who are going without these basics?
We work with social service professionals, teachers and home health nurses. Reach out if you’d like to learn more!
Who do you help?
Our focus began in 2018 with asylum seeking mothers raising young children in a new country. That’s what initially pulled at our hearts but soon we realized that the needs of asylum seeking mothers in Maine were the same basic needs that so many individuals and families had. Our focus now is helping families and individuals, both housed and unhoused, Mainer or immigrant throughout Maine. Almost every family we are connected to is struggling to afford cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothes for their growing kids, let alone art supplies, toys, children’s books, diapers, wipes, winter gear, sunscreen, tick spray etc. We work with people leaving domestic violence, people leaving incarceration, often immediately becoming homeless, veterans, asylum seekers, refugees, families, kids and any individual in need of the items we collect.
Are you a 501c3 nonprofit?
We are! As of October 2020, we became a 501c3 and opened a free community donation center in Portland Maine. In September of 2021, we doubled in size. EIN 84-4746926 Mailing address: P.O Box 4174 Portland Maine 04101 Tax deductible receipts are sent via email if you donate online and via mail if you mail a check. Secure link to donate here.