January 2023 Policy Changes (effective immediately)
The goal of Maine Needs has always been and continues to be to help as many people in Maine as possible. We are truly grateful to everyone who has helped us fulfill our mission since we began this work.
Our strategy relies on collecting donations of goods and funds and then partnering with other organizations to allocate essential items to individuals and families statewide. We are currently receiving an unprecedented number of requests each day, reflecting the current and growing demand across the state for clothing, housewares, and outdoor gear. For our volunteer-led effort to be sustainable and to maintain our effectiveness going forward, we are making some changes to our policies:
Our priority will be to fulfill requests made by social services professionals, teachers and home health nurses. Please use your work email address with your name, title, and organization in the signature.
Requests from grassroots and other organizations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
We will no longer stock clothing closets throughout Maine. However, we often have a surplus of clothing for infants and children under 5 as well as maternity clothes and women's clothing in small sizes. If you have a need for these items, feel free to send a request.
If you have been helping others on a volunteer basis, please know that we are genuinely grateful for your level of commitment to our community. We know that not being able to continue requesting through us will make that effort less convenient. We encourage you to utilize the power of social media and connect with your friends, neighbors and other organizations. Your advocacy matters and is absolutely needed.
Below is a list of other organizations and groups that may help support your work.
Thank you for your understanding and all that you do.
Warmest regards,
The Maine Needs Team
“Sometimes asking for help is the bravest move you can make. You don’t have to go it alone.”
Maine is full of organizations, assistance programs and grassroot groups that support the needs of individuals and families at all levels. We’ve put together a list of those we are aware of or have partnered with, by county, to help point you in the right direction. 211 Maine offers a comprehensive directory of services, translation services and operators to help get you connected anywhere in the state.
androscoggin
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Community Concepts: children & family, housing & energy, financial services
Hope House Family Support Center: free material resources, food & health support
Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services MEIRS: case management services, youth, adult & family programs
Aroostook
Aroostook Community Action Program: connection to local services, heating, food & childcare assistance
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Hope and Justice Project: support for domestic abuse survivors
cumberland
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Furniture Friends: referral based furniture resource
Neighbors in Need: a grassroots group of local helpers supporting immigrants & refugees (Facebook group)
Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance: a grassroots group supporting Veterans in Maine (Facebook group)
Preble Street Rapid Rehousing: housing assistance, homelessness prevention
Ruth's Reusable Resources: school supplies. Located in Portland but can be utilized by schools statewide, membership based
Welcoming The Stranger: a grassroots effort to match mentors with asylum-seekers
Franklin
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Franklin County Women and Family Shelter: supportive shelter for homeless women & children
United Methodist Economic Ministry: local charity to apply for heating or fuel assistance, basic home repairs, medical equipment assistance, wheel chair ramp construction, and information on other programs or non-profits in Franklin County Maine
hancock
Better Together Facebook Group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Downeast Community Partners: services related to poverty prevention and family support
Families First Community Center: residential and outreach programs serving homeless families with children
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: anyone can shop free of charge without a referral
kennebec
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Family Violence Project: shelter, support & protective services for domestic abuse survivors
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program: connect to local social services
Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services: emergency shelter and case management
knox
Area Interfaith Outreach: food assistance, energy assistance, diaper program
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Knox County Homeless Coalition: homelessness prevention & wraparound services
Knox Clinic: medical services for under-insured or unisured Mainers
New Hope Midcoast: shelter, housing, legal assistance for domestic abuse survivors
lincoln
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Community Energy Fund: energy assistance for those not connected to services
Lincoln County Food Pantries: list of food pantries by town
New Hope Midcoast: shelter, housing, legal assistance for domestic abuse survivors
oxford
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Community Concepts: children & family, housing & energy, financial services
Oxford Food Pantries: list of food pantries by town
penobscot
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter: overnight shelter, day services, food pantry, winter gear
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Greater Bangor Houseless Collective: a grassroots organization that provides mutual aid and low-barrier support to the unhoused community while building solidarity in the face of institutionalized inequity
Penobscot County Food Pantries: list of food pantries by town
Penquis Community Action Program: connect to local social services
piscataquis
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
Penquis Community Action Program: connect to local social services
sagadahoc
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
New Hope Midcoast: shelter, housing, legal assistance for domestic abuse survivors
Midcoast Maine Community Action Program: connect to local social services
somerset
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
waldo
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
New Hope Midcoast: shelter, housing, legal assistance for domestic abuse survivors
Waldo Community Action Program: connect to local social services
washington
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources
york
Better Together Facebook group: anyone can join & post needs or offer resources