WEEKLY DONATION HOURS:
Tuesday
8am-8pm
Wednesday & saturday
10am-12pm
332 Forest Ave, back lot of University Plaza
Please pre-sort donations to meet our current needs and guidelines.
One time, we received a garbage bag full of baby clothes covered in black mold and it made us question if this effort was sustainable.
Another time, someone tied up their folded clothes in twine and made cute little tags that we couldn’t get over.
You don’t have to tie up your clothes in twine and make homemade tags, but you should know, that the care you put into sorting through your own things before you donate, matters. It is fuel to every volunteer sorting and trying to make this dream of sharing what we have with the community at large, possible.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING DONATIONS IN BIG BLACK TRASH BAGS. SORT THOUGHTFULLY INTO SMALLER BAGS AND LABEL.
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING:
*Please note, if you have something to give that isn’t specifically listed here, you can always ask a volunteer at drop off to sort through your donations with you. We can generally take in season clothing for all ages/sizes unless specifically stated otherwise.
If you have items we can’t accept, we’ll do our best to help you find another place to donate.
BABY 0-24 months
DIAPERS, especially size NB, 1, 5 & 6 (open packages welcome)
Baby socks
0-12 month toys
Baby carriers
Board books
Bottles (if used, clean & sanitized)
Strollers
Crib sheets
Baby blankets
KIDS (size 2T-18)
Girl’s clothes, especially sizes 5-8
Boy’s clothes, especially sizes 5-8
SNEAKERS!
Early reader books
Picture books
Early reader books
Older chapter books
duplos & legos, blocks
basketballs, soccer balls, footballs
jumpropes
bubbles
kid’s sunscreen
WOMENS for adults under 40
Sneakers, all sizes
Casual tops L-5x
Socks
MENS (S-5X) for adults under 40
Sweatpants/casual pants, all sizes
Sweatshirts & hoodies, all sizes
Sneakers, all sizes
Socks
HOUSEHOLD
Warm blankets & comforters
Twin & queen matching sheet sets
Twin, full & queen comforters & blankets
Bath towels
New pillows
Utensil sets
Cleaning kits
Shampoo & conditioner
Body wash
Large stock pots
Crock pots & Instant pots
MISCELLANEOUS
Tents
Adult backpacks
$5-10 DD gift cards
$25-50 Target & Walmart gift cards
Mini spring kits
Cleaning kits
Minute for mom
Summer fun kits
Below are kid & baby items we accept and items we encourage you to sell at Lots For Tots. They keep a Maine Needs Fund on site for us. We use the money to buy diapers, wipes, new underwear and socks for kids all over Maine!
Got items on our ‘don’t’ list?
We encourage you to offer any items we can’t accept on the better together facebook group for the county you live you to connect them directly to others in your community for free.
Other organizations local to portland that accept donations include:
Furniture friends
preble street
neighbors in need
(computers newer than 2012 only. all computers redistributed for free to those who need them!)
Your financial contributions help us buy essential resources that we always need like new underwear, tents & sleeping bags, diapers, and cleaning & hygiene supplies. We also accept contributions via check mailed to:
Maine Needs P.O Box 4174 Portland Maine 04101
We keep a wish list updated weekly to reflect the most needed items throughout the community. Support us from home by ordering & shipping directly to us at:
Maine Needs 332 Forest Avenue, Portland Maine 04101
COVID & DONATIONS
We take the safety of the community very seriously. If you have been exposed to COVID in the last 14 days or have any symptoms, please wait to bring donations or enter the space.
PRECAUTIONS
Donations will be accepted at the door. We limit our total occupancy to 20 people at a time.
We have 3 HEPA filtered air purifiers in the space.
Please do not enter the space if you have any COVID symptoms or even the common cold.
Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering.