When are you open for donations? Tuesdays 8am-8pm, Wednesdays 10am-12pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm
Maine Needs closes in observance of all federal holidays.
Where are you located? 332 Forest Ave, Portland (back lot of university plaza, between Oakhurst and USM library).
What are you currently accepting? Your endless posts confuse me. We get it! We post a lot. You can always reference current needs, updated weekly, here.
Is there easy parking? Yes, usually plenty! We are in the back lot of the same building as Kitchen Cove and Necessary Technology. Sandwiched between the USM library and Oakhurst Dairy.
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! Sign up here. Current shifts are 9am-12pm M-Sat, 12-3pm Tue-Th and 3-6pm, 6-8pm Tue. 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.
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? Yes! It’s here.
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!
How do you reach people who are going without these basics? We work with social service professionals, teachers and home health nurses. Learn more about our process and other resources throughout the state here.
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.
How much of the money donated is used to pay employees? We have two paid employees. Our Communications Director works to drive in-kind donations, engage with the community, build partnerships and advocate for the needs of Mainers. Our Chief Operations Officer handles logistics, finances, ordering and inventory to ensure we have access to the most highly needed resources when they’re requested. 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!
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.
Can I start a Winter Gear collection for you? Absolutely! Just do it! No need to ask! Avoid collecting clothing collections or toy collections, it's too much for us! Focus on coats, snowpants, long underwear, hats, waterproof gloves, snow boots, new underwear, warm socks and kits!! Check out this page for more info and printable graphics! Please note we cannot accept winter gear in the spring & summer.
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!
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.
Are you okay with us fundraising for you? We will literally never say no to this! You all have amazed us with your impromptu fundraisers and we are so so grateful!
How are you able to rent a space, pay utilities and buy essential items in bulk? We are primarily funded by small $10-$50 donations from people like you and a few generous grants. Reoccurring monthly donations are incredibly helpful to planning if you are able to give! Even $10 a month from a lot of people is extremely impactful! Click to donate!
Do you accept furniture or large appliances? No but other local organizations do! Check out Furniture Friends & Habitat Restore.
Can you help me directly or do I need a case worker? We would love to be able to help you directly and so many others. Unfortunately, given the sheer number of people who need the things we offer and being a small, volunteer run nonprofit, we focus our efforts on working through caseworkers, in home visiting nurses, schools, street outreach teams, DV shelters, and professional care providers. We know that many people who need these basic items are on wait lists for caseworkers right now but the best we can offer is that you reach out in your local County’s Better Together Facebook group or contact 211 or even google local Churches or organizations that might be able to help you. Please know that you are not alone in needing help. We ALL have needs. Keep advocating for yourself. Learn about more resources throughout the state 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 run and that's not something we want to take on anytime soon. You can always post in the Better Together Country Groups!