Helping real people meet real needs.

The reality many face will improve if we all contribute in whatever way we can. Your contribution to this effort has the power to make a lasting impact for another in your community.

Give online

Online donations will receive an automatic acknowledgement letter that can be used for tax purposes.

EIN 84-4746926

Send a check

Maine Needs
PO BOX 4174
Portland, ME 04101

Donors contributing via check will receive a tax receipt in the mail.

EIN 84-4746926

Order essentials

We keep a wish list updated weekly to reflect the most high demand items throughout the community. Support us from home by ordering & shipping directly to us at:

Maine Needs
332 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04101

FAQs

  • 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.

  • Yes! It’s here.

  • We have four 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. Our Volunteer Program Manager works onsite with our growing, diverse volunteer population, coordinating shifts, projects and daily tasks to get your donations out the door to those going without. Our Executive Director guides the vision of Maine Needs, supporting staff and ensuring growth through implementing new ideas, goals and ways to build our community effort. 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!

  • We work with social service professionals, teachers and home health nurses. Learn more about our process and other resources throughout the state here.

  • 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.

  • “Most of the families that I work with are asylum seekers who depend on our community providers for resources while awaiting their work authorizations which now can take up to a year! These families have been so grateful to programs like Maine Needs who have provided winter clothing for themselves and their children, educational toys, books and art supplies for their children, essential household cleaning & laundry supplies, the list goes on!”

    -case manager, opportunity alliance

  • “Maine Needs brings tears of gratitude to my eyes! They are making a huge impact by anticipating clients' needs and supplying beautiful clothing, toys and other items that my staff is excited to offer families. All of the donations are high quality and thoughtfully packaged and show clients they are valued. Maine Needs is an incredible blessing!”

    -WIC director, york county

  • "I can't begin to describe how many families I work with are warmer, happier, healthier, less stressed, and beyond grateful. The outpouring of kindness and generosity, especially now, has truly changed my concern in wondering where all the "good folk" went. This group has changed more than the lives we think need it most. I know my children and I are better folks for being involved with a program that provides hope for everyone. Could not be more proud of this community support."

    -children’s case manager, opportunity alliance

  • “Such a blessing to request certain things and have this amazing location and host of volunteers to work tirelessly to search and find everything on your wish list! Families have no idea what a gift this is to the community to have a place case managers can go, feel supported, and to walk away with everything a family needs to take care of their children. It’s so amazing!! Thank you doesn’t even say enough.”

    -case manager, woodford family services

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 needs with those who can give.