Maine Needs a Community Donation Center

Maine Needs is fundraising to afford a physical space where clean, thoughtfully sorted donations can be brought by people throughout Maine that want their things to be repurposed and given to those who need them most but can not afford them.

Clothing will be sorted, hung or folded to create a store like environment. Families will be able shop three times a year by appointment. Each family would have a set number of items that they can shop for, to focus on creating a culture of support and community connection rather than dependence.

Children’s books will be shelved and toys, puzzles and coloring materials would be sorted to create a toy store like environment for children to shop. Children would be able to play while their parents shop. They can take countless books and a bag of toys home with them each time they come. Essential baby gear would be cleaned, organized and available to parents in need.

Many non profits and schools see a regular need for clothing as seasons change and children grow. However, storage space is greatly limited and time to sort is equally limited. Not to mention, there are areas in Maine that don’t see the material donations flooding in like we see in Greater Portland. We would like to rally volunteers within the community to help us do the heavy lifting, the collecting, the sorting and even the delivering.

We also have a need for volunteers to create kits based on the most common needs of families facing financial hardship in Maine. This could be a collaborative effort done onsite or off site. Back to School Kits, Diaper Bag Kits, Art Therapy Kits, Cleaning & Toiletry Kits, Tool Kits and Sewing Kits.

Donations of household items will be accepted. Such as, hangers, laundry racks, sheets, blankets, towels and shower curtains in great condition. Plates, glasses, flatware, cooking utensils, pots and pans.

We will ask that this community helps us to make our fundraisers go viral, to afford us the ability to buy new underwear, new pillows, mattress protectors, diapers, pads and bus passes as needed.

Caseworkers, nurses and community workers that help families facing financial hardships will be able to come in with a list of what is needed for individual families and get what they need for those that have difficulty with transportation. Survivors of domestic abuse, those leaving incarceration or homelessness will know that they have a community behind them.

We will continue to learn and share resources where people can access furniture, food, heat, continuing education as well as, social and legal support within their Community.

Thank you so much for believing in this goal and for your help in making this possible!

WE ARE A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION, POWERED BY A GROWING COLLECTIVE OF VOLUNTEERS.

We know how resilient people are, but not all of life should be about overcoming adversity. We aim to meet people on the hill they climb and ease stressors by rallying the heart of the community to provide basic needs.

We strive to help individuals and families in Maine meet their basic, material needs by providing donated clothing, hygiene products, household items, and other necessities in an environment of dignity and compassion. We focus our work on those starting life over from scratch: domestic abuse survivors, asylum seekers and those facing financial hardships. We partner with schools, caseworkers, nurses and nonprofits to provide these material resources and are working on establishing a free community closet for those in need to shop directly.