We are closed for donations until Tuesday, April 29th.

In an effort to reorganize and fill the over 400 requests in our inbox, We are taking a break from accepting donations.

Please refer to our list of needs below to get your items ready for drop off when we reopen. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue to settle into our new home.

What we need

DONATION Guidelines:

Give like you are giving to your best friend - washed and in great condition, no stains, tears or pet hair. No formal wear or business attire, no political, religious or crude language.

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 will do our best to help you find another place to donate to.

  • ACCEPTING:

    • Clothing

    • Diapers

    • Wipes

    • Baby socks & booties

    • Toys, teethers, rattles

    • Baby carriers/wraps

    • Board books

    • Bottles (if used, clean & sanitized)

    • Strollers

    • Crib sheets

    • Baby blankets

    • Baby tubs

    • Play mats

    *We cannot accept breast pumps, playpens, pack n plays or high chairs.

  • ACCEPTING:

    • NEW underwear

    • Very gently used or new socks

    • Casual clothing

    • Sneakers, crocs, casual shoes

    • Duplos & legos, blocks

    • Action figures, dolls, animal figurines

    • Great condition books in all languages

    • Water bottles

    • Basic art supplies

    • Snow pants, snow boots, winter coats, waterproof mittens & gloves

  • ACCEPTING:

    • NEW underwear

    • NEW socks

    • New or used bras

    • Casual tops

    • Casual pants, jeans, leggings

    • Casual shorts

    • Casual dresses

    • Sneakers, flip flops, crocs, hiking boots, winter boots

    • Pajamas, robes

    • Belts

    • Swimsuits

  • ACCEPTING

    • NEW underwear

    • NEW socks

    • Sweatpants/casual pants

    • Casual shorts

    • Durable work wear (Carhartt, Dickies)

    • T-shirts, long & short sleeved

    • Hoodies

    • Sneakers, flip flops, crocs, hiking boots, winter boots

    • Basic belts

  • ACCEPTING:

    • Twin, full, queen and king sheet sets, comforters & blankets

    • Bath towels & washcloths

    • NEW shower curtain liners

    • NEW pillows

    • Bagless vaccuums

    • New, small tool kits

    • Box fans

    • Unopened curtain rods

    • Curtains (sets of 2 or more)

    • Silverware sets

    • Basic cooking utensils

    • Basic dish sets

    • Large stock pots, pots & pans

    • Crock pots & Instant pots

    • Toasters

    • Blenders

    • Mixing bowls

    • Microwaves

    • Great condition water bottles

    *we cannot accept cups requiring straws, solo coffee mugs with logos/personalization, single curtains, vases or decor items, cheesecake pans, bundt cake pans, fine china, lamps or furniture.

  • ACCEPTING:

    • Shampoo & conditioner

    • Bar soap, hand soap, body soap

    • Deodorant

    • Sunscreen

    • Tick spray

    • Toothpaste & toothbrushes

    • Body lotion

    • Basic first aid items

    • Period products

    *TOILETRIES MUST BE NEW/UNOPENED.

  • ACCEPTING:

    • Tents

    • Sleeping bags

    • Sleeping mats

    • Personal sized coolers

    • Water bottles

    • Adult backpacks, duffel bags

    • $5-10 DD gift cards

    • Hand/foot warmers

    • Ice spikes/yaktrax

    • Cleaning

    • Hygiene

    • Toiletry

    • Minute for Mom

    Make a kit

  • ACCEPTING:

    • All purpose spray

    • Sponges

    • Toilet paper

    • Paper towels

    • Dish scrubbers

    • Toilet scrubbers

    • Laundry detergent

    • Dish soap

    • Trash bags

    • Brooms

    • Mops

    *ALL CLEANING PRODUCTS MUST BE NEW/UNOPENED

Interested in starting a collection drive?

Have items we can’t accept?

We encourage you to offer those items on your county’s Better Together Facebook Group.

Maine Needs began by digging into the needs of families in Greater Portland, but we didn’t want to stop there! So we established “Better Together”, a collection of 16 Facebook groups representing all 16 counties in Maine. These groups act as bridges connecting those who need specific items with folks who have those items to donate, and vice versa. People are able to freely post what they need or what they have to give within their own community.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LOCAL TO PORTLAND THAT ACCEPT DONATIONS INCLUDE:

FAQs

  • Yes, our parking lot has 100 spots! The parking towards the front of the lot is prioritized for providers picking up requests. Parking for donation drop off is around the back of the building and volunteers are welcome to park in any of the back tier spots.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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 your local Better Together group.

  • No, but gear hub does and they are amazing! Gear Hub Portland

  • 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 County Groups!

  • No but other local organizations do! Check out Furniture Friends & Habitat Restore.

  • 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!

Looking for other ways to contribute?

Whether it's time and energy through volunteering, material goods, money, skills, or support, we ask everyone to get involved in their own way so we can connect what is needed with what you have to give.