Maine Needs

When we talk about Social Security, we're talking about real people who are already struggling to get by. When we talk about cutting staff or closing offices, we're talking about making it even harder for those in rural areas to access and maintain the benefits they need to survive. This is 25% of our state's population. 1 in 4 people. Protecting this program protects real lives. https://lnkd.in/eFf3wt8D

Just imagine what will be possible with 4x the space.?? maineneeds.org

Moving day is this Saturday, March 22nd.???? If you'd like to help pack, transport and organize, please join us at either our old or new location. PACK UP AT 332 FOREST AVE This shift will focus on breaking down and emptying out the old space. When you sign up online, the shift will be titled PACK UP 332 FOREST AVE. We're looking for help from 12pm-3pm. SET UP AT 2385 CONGRESS STREET This shift will focus on setting up, filling racks & shelves, & moving things into the very best spots. When you sign up online, the shift will be titled SET UP AT 2385 CONGRESS STREET. We're looking for help for 3-hour shifts 9am-6pm. Sign up at maineneeds.org/volunteer And thank you to everyone who has already helped or signed up to help this week with assembly! The space is coming along so smoothly and we're so grateful.

The first official day of Spring is so close we can almost feel it's warm breeze on our cheeks. ???? And to help make sure everyone has a fresh transition into the new season, we set up a community fund for cleaning kits. Please contribute what you can and encourage others to do the same! Our goal is to raise $10,000, build 750 (or more!) kits and send them, for free, to homes across the state. HERE'S WHAT YOUR DONATION CAN DO: $5 buys what's needed to keep the toilets clean $10 buys what's needed to keep the kitchen clean $25 builds two complete kits! $50 buys 5 brooms & dustpans $100 supplies all 750 kits with trash bags $500 builds 40 complete kits! Our focus is on purchasing non-toxic, sustainable products that can help keep families healthy and can last a long time. Make a contribution at https://lnkd.in/eqxw78rW

October, 2020. We were in the midst of a pandemic that paused the world as we knew it and threw a lot of lives into chaos. Many people who were already struggling fell deeper into hardships and many people were introduced to brand new hardships they had to learn how to navigate on the spot. What we learned to be true then was that people were eager to contribute to making their community better, safer, and more connected. Despite uncertainty about the future, people showed up to donate items and volunteer their time on the very first day we opened our doors. And since then, the community response has only grown. Now we find ourselves in 2025 and there is still a lot of uncertainty about the future. And there is still a vigorous, enthusiastic desire from this community to dig in and show up on behalf of one another. When we opened the doors to 332 Forest Ave, we could not have anticipated outgrowing our humble 2,000 sq. ft footprint in less than a year. When we doubled in size, we didn't know that the desire to be part of helping meet the needs of individuals and families across the state would demand we find an even bigger space to hold our growing community. We are just a couple of weeks away from opening our doors at 2385 Congress St., a 16,000 sq. ft. space that we've poured a brand new set of hopes, goals and ambitions into. A space that will give us the opportunity to welcome more, support more and grow in unknowable ways. Thank you for being part of filling up this chalkboard, filling up our days, filling up the homes of others, filling our community with hope and love and care. We can't wait to keep building our future together. maineneeds.org

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Cleaning kits are the among the top needs for people moving into housing, survivors of domestic violence as they start over, asylum seekers, and individuals and families living below the poverty line. When people are forced to choose between food and cleaning products, they tend to prioritize food (understandably!) which leaves far too many people without the daily basics necessary to keep their living space clean and safe. So far, we've raised enough to make 208 kits. Our goal is to raise $10,000, build 750 (or more!) kits and send them, for free, to homes across the state. HERE'S WHAT YOUR DONATION CAN DO: $5 buys what's needed to keep the toilets clean $10 buys what's needed to keep the kitchen clean $25 builds two complete kits! $50 buys 5 brooms & dustpans $100 supplies all 750 kits with trash bags $500 builds 40 complete kits! Our focus is on purchasing non-toxic, sustainable products that can help keep families healthy and can last a long time. Make a contribution at https://lnkd.in/eqxw78rW

Remember Anika? She sent us this note after raising funds to buy what was needed most. Then she went shopping and brought us a TON of highly needed home essentials. Every year, she rallies her community to contribute to her efforts and then uses those funds thoughtfully to provide support in the ways it's needed. We are truly inspired by hearts & minds like Anika's. If you're inspired too, leave a heart ?? emoji in the comments. Let's spread this goodness and spark some much needed positivity. *Please note, Maine Needs is closed for donations for the remainder of March as we work to transition into our new space. But there are still plenty of ways to support our work! Share our posts, sign up for a future volunteer shift, start a collection drive, plan a fundraiser, start shopping for items like tick spray and sunblock to help get us started this summer, or send a monetary donation. All that & more on our website: maineneeds.org

While we're closed for donations for the rest of this month, there are still plenty of ways to support our work! Share our posts, sign up for a future volunteer shift, start a collection drive, plan a fundraiser, start shopping for items like tick spray and sunblock to help get us started this summer, or send a monetary donation. All that & more on our website: maineneeds.org

NEXT WEEK we're looking for some help prepping the new space for The Big Move! For these shifts we're looking for volunteers who are comfortable using simple tools, navigating instructional packets (hello, Ikea!), and able to lift and lug heavy boxes. Here are the shifts we need help: TUESDAY MARCH 18// 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm WEDNESDAY MARCH 19// 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm THURSDAY MARCH 20// 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm FRIDAY MARCH 21// 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm Shifts are three hours and will be BUSY so please bring water and/or snacks, wear comfortable clothing and safe footwear. If you have basic tools (hammers, screwdrivers, levels), please bring them along. Our new space is still a work in progress and we are doing our best to keep the transition organized and operating smoothly so PLEASE be sure to SIGN UP for shifts on our website so we know who is coming. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SPACE IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP FOR A SHIFT. maineneeds.org/volunteer Shifts will show as Assembly Shift @ Congress St. This is phase one of our move so if you're less handy but have other skills like organizing, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to jump in and help out, too. Stay tuned!