#MaineNeeds #DreamList for Winter 25/26
by: Heather Tracy
"Baby it's cold outside! We can't keep these items in stock and need your help to ensure all Mainer's are cozy and cared for this fall and winter!"
https://www.dreamlist.com/list/pealrbdtaezelba2adljfatiaa#
#Maine #Mainers #MutualAid #MainersHelpingMainers #Houseless #Homeless
#Unhoused #Donations #PrebleStreet
Winter 25/26 for #MaineNeeds
by: Heather Tracy
"Baby it's cold outside! We can't keep these items in stock and need your help to ensure all Mainers are cozy and cared for this fall and winter!"
https://www.dreamlist.com/list/pealrbdtaezelba2adljfatiaa#
#Maine #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers #Unhoused #Donations #MaineNeeds
#Unhoused Gear
ACCEPTING:
Tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping mats
Personal sized coolers
Water bottles
Adult backpacks, duffel bags
$5-10 DD gift cards
Smartphones (w/ charger)
https://www.maineneeds.org/donations
#Maine #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers
#Unhoused #Donations #PrebleStreet
#MaineNeeds - We strive to get basic, essential resources to those who need them most.
DONATION HOURS:
Tuesday 10am-1pm, 6pm-8pm
Thursday 10am-1pm
Saturday 10am-12pm
Location:
Maine Needs
2385 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04102
Please bring donations to the doors around the back of the building. We’ll meet you inside to sort through your items together!
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 NO BIG, BLACK TRASH BAGS- please sort into smaller reusable grocery bags, paper bags or other totes.
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."
https://www.maineneeds.org/donations
#Maine #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers
#Unhoused #Donations #PrebleStreet
#PortlandME - #PrebleStreetResourceCenter - #FoodDonationsNeeded
Food & Pantry Top Needs
- Ground coffee
- Jelly (smaller jars preferred)
- Juices
- Canned meats (tuna, chicken and Spam)
- Marinara sauce (jars or flip top cans)
- Canned black beans (flip top cans preferred)
- Dried pasta of any kind
- Hearty canned or jarred soups
- Canned or jarred stews (beef stew, chili with meat, vegetarian options, etc.)
- Oatmeal (especially microwaveable and flavored packets)
- Hot Chocolate packets
- Ensure Protein Shakes
- Cheese (especially American and Cheddar)
- Soft granola bars
- Cereal
- Pancake mixes
- Snack items (microwave popcorn, packaged nuts, chocolate covered raisins/almonds, yogurt covered raisins/almonds, etc.)
- Condiments (salad dressings, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, oil & vinegar)
- Pickles
- Holiday treats/snacks
WHEN AND WHERE TO DONATE
Food
Food Security Hub
75 Darling Ave, South Portland
Pantry Entrance (left side of the building)
7 days a week: 9am-3pm
Non-food items [see next post]
#MaineNeeds
2385 Congress Street, Portland, ME
https://www.preblestreet.org/you-can-help/in-kind-donations/
#Maine #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers #Unhoused #FoodInsecurity #Donations #PortlandME #PrebleStreet
#Maine #GovernorJanetMills releases $1.25 million to help #FoodBanks respond to #SNAP losses
Mills also has not ruled out calling a special session of the Legislature so roughly 170,000 Mainers don’t lose federal food assistance.
by Randy Billings. October 30, 2025
FALMOUTH — "Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday that her administration is releasing an additional $1.25 million in funding for food pantries and anti-hunger programs in a bid to keep nearly 170,000 low-income Maine families from losing assistance during the federal government shutdown.
"Mills said the funding would be distributed through the #GoodShepherdFoodBank and the #AreaAgenciesOnAging to support programs such as #MealsOnWheels and other anti-hunger organizations.
" 'When the federal government fails, Maine will not,' Mills said in a written statement. 'When challenges arise, Maine people step up.'
"Mills is using $1 million from the governor’s contingency account and the John T. Gorman Foundation is providing $250,000. The Portland nonprofit noted that 55,000 children could lose food assistance.
"Heather Paquette, president of Good Shepherd, said in a written statement that the funding will help support nearly 600 food pantries and other partner organizations across the state.
" 'Our partners on the front lines are facing an overwhelming need for food right now and these funds will go to work immediately to help ensure everyone in Maine has access to the food they need to feed themselves and their families during this uncertain time,' Paquette said.
[...]
"Some other states are also announcing emergency funding for food banks and food assistance programs in anticipation of the loss of SNAP benefits. #Minnesota, for example, has announced $4 million for food assistance programs, and #NewYork is committing $30 million."
Archived version:
https://archive.fo/1nXLP
#USPol #MainePol #MaineResists
#Resistance #ResistTrump #TrumpSucks #TrumpIsABully #TrumpIsAFascist #SNAPCuts #USDACuts #HungerGames #KillThePoor #FoodStamps #FoodInsecurity #District13 #Mainers
#Maine - Local businesses poised to help residents during #SNAP funding pause
Maine Public | By Michael Livingston
Published October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM EDT
"Local businesses are stepping up across Maine to provide food and supplies for people who will go without SNAP benefits in November due to the government shutdown.
"Nearly 170,000 Mainers are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which provides an average of $572 per family every month.
"#SamsItalianFoods, which has multiple locations in the #LewistonAuburn area, plans to give away 10' cheese #pizzas to SNAP families with children in November.
"Store manager Trisha Cottrill said she's watched the generosity spread to other businesses ever since state officials announced the federal government warned them that it will not be distributing benefits last week.
" 'I opened my Facebook this morning and saw that #JustInTime is doing something. #NuttyNettiesCafe is also doing something,' Cotrill said. 'It's really great that the community, as a whole, is pitching in to help ease the burden on families.'
"Receiving a pizza at any Sam's location will require proof of I.D. with a SNAP or #EBTCard with the child present. If a parent wants to eat with their child, Sam's will offer a 10% discount.
"Over a third of all SNAP households have children, according to state data.
"Grocery stores like #MegunticookMarket in #CamdenME are also giving away free food and supplies.
"Owner Nishant Patel said he gave away dozens of bags of fresh produce over the weekend which included tomatoes, onions, bananas and bread."
[...]
"According to Maine DHHS, SNAP benefits already loaded onto EBT cards in October remain available for use to purchase food. Those who need additional resources are encouraged to call their local #FoodPantry or #Call211.
See below for additional businesses that have announced food assistance initiatives via social media:
- Taj Indian & Indo-Chinese Cuisine (#SouthPortlandME)
- Nutty Nellies Cafe (#AuburnME)
- Fresh off the Farm (#RockportME)
- Just-In-Time Recreation (#LewistonME)
- Family Time Dine and Play (#AuburnME)
- J&H Pizza (Auburn)
- Marvelous Macarons (Auburn)
- Bucksport Nutrition (#BucksportME)
- Provender Kitchen & Bar (#EllsworthME)
#SNAPCuts #MutualAid #FoodInsecurity #FoodAssistance #FreeMeals #Mainers #MainersHelpingMainers
#FoodPantries in #Maine’s most vulnerable regions brace for #SNAP lapse
by Cameron Levasseur, October 27, 2025
Excerpt: "Rural areas like #AroostookCounty, where SNAP enrollment is well above the state average, are expected to feel a greater strain, as more residents, missing benefits, will turn to food pantries to fill their need.
"Do those pantries have the supply to meet new demand? The short answer is: they’re trying.
" 'There isn’t a program that can replace that,' Blanchard, Catholic Charities’ director of hunger and relief services, said. 'But we’re best suited to do the most good and hit as much need as possible.'
"Food pantries across Maine are already feeling a squeeze levied by cuts to several key #USDA programs earlier this year. In March, the federal government cut approximately $500 million in funding from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (#TEFAP) which provides American-grown food bought by the USDA.
"The Trump administration also ended the #LocalFood Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which gave money to states to purchase locally produced food that would then be distributed to food banks.
" 'Before we were getting maybe four or five cases of something and now we’re getting only maybe one case,' said Rena Kearney, a volunteer at the Mars Hill Community Cupboard — which serves around 14 families weekly. 'If you get one case of string beans, that’s got 24 cans in it, it doesn’t go very far.' "
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/v6DHW
#Mainers #MaineFoodBanks #HungerGames #USDACuts #SNAPCuts #StarveThePoor #TrumpSucks #USPol #FoodAssistance #FoodInsecurity
#Donations #MaineFoodPantries #FoodPantries
#Mainers! The last date for requesting an #AbsenteeBallot is fast-approaching! Contact your municipality or fill out the form linked below!
Also, #VoteNoOnOne! Protect #Maine #AbsenteeVoting!
Opinion: Why you should vote no on #QuestionOne to save absentee voting
https://mainebeacon.com/opinion-why-you-should-vote-no-on-question-1-to-save-absentee-voting/
Link to Absentee Voting web form:
https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl
#MainePol #MEPol #Maine #VotingRights #VoterDisenfranchisement
Made a donation to them last week (fussy kitty doesn't like her old food). Going through the cupboards for human food to donate to a local food bank this week (and I'll pick up some dry goods to donate as well).
238 Old Alfred Road
#EastWaterboroME 04030
207-233-2793
Hours:
- 1st Wednesday 10am to Noon
- 2nd Thursday 5:30pm to 7:30pm (May through October ONLY)
- 3rd Sunday 3pm to 5pm
Venmo - @nbe_nadine
PayPal - nobowlempty@outlook.com
Zelle - nobowlempty@outlook.com
Tell (207)233-2793
Cash app - $nobowlempty
Pets MUST be current on rabies vaccination in compliance with State law & Dogs MUST be licensed according to State law. [They offer nail clippings and other services]
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/NBE2PFP/
Source:
https://petsofthehomeless.org/get-help/find-locations/no-bowl-empty-2-pet-food-pantry-2/
#PetFoodPantry #Maine #Mainers #PetsInMaine #MainePetOwners #PetFoodAssistance
#MaineTribes - #FoodAssistance / #FoodPantries
#IndianIslandME: St. Ann / #PenobscotNation DHS Food Pantry
Location: 16 Wabanaki Way, Indian Island
Days and Hours: Fridays 9:00 am. - 1:00 pm.
Contact: Natasha Fields 207-817-7492 or (cell) 207-745-2907 for emergencies
#LittletonME: #HoultonBandOfMaliseetIndians
Location: 88 Bell road, Littleton
Days and Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 - 4:30
Contact: Ashley Foster-Kinney 207-694-5254
Littleton: Maliseet Housing Authority
Location: 13 Clover Court, Littleton
Days and Hours: By Appointment
Contact: Amanda Sabattus 207-532-7260
#PerryME: #Passamaquoddy Food Pantry
Location: 22 Bayview Dr., Perry
Days and Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday Noon - 4:30 pm. & Wednesday 9:00 am. - 3:00 pm.
Contact: Diane Libby 207-853-5139
#PresqueIsleME: #Mikmaq Food Pantry
Location: 37 Midway Drive, Presque Isle
Days and Hours: Call Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 pm. Pantry Monday - Friday - By Appointment
Contact: Roxanne Shaw & Kandi Sock 207-764-1972
#Wabanaki #Wabanakik #FoodInsecurity #FoodSecurity #Dawnland #WabanakiAlliance #MaineFoodPantries #SNAP #SNAPCuts #FoodPantries #Mainers
#BuxtonME Community Cupboard
"The Buxton Community Cupboard has been serving the Buxton community for many years. It is located in the little white house behind the parsonage of the Buxton Centre Baptist Church that is located at 938 Long Plains Rd, Buxton, ME 04093.
This organization relies on donations of food from the good citizens of Buxton, food drives at businesses, schools and cash donations which are spent on food items.
They are always looking for new people to help. Hours of Operation: Friday mornings 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
If you would like more information about the services or would like to volunteer please call (207) 929-6764 and ask for Betty.
Donations: Bring items to the church on Sunday morning or call the church (207) 929-3535 to make arrangements to get them. Cash donations are accepted to buy food."
https://www.barmillscommunitychurch.org/buxton-community-cupboard.html
#Mainers #SouthernMaine #BuxtonMaine #FoodAssistance #FoodInsecurity #Donations #MaineFoodPantries #SNAP #SNAPCuts #FoodPantries
#Maine - #FoodAssistance Programs Listed by Town
Read more (alpha sorted):
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/food-assistance/tefap/bytown.shtml
#MaineFoodPantries #FoodInsecurity #SNAP #SNAPCuts #Maine #FoodPantries #Mainers #MaineTribes #Wabanaki #FoodPantry #MaineFoodBanks
#Mainers! Here's your chance to help fight #EmeraldAshBorer!
#MaineForestryService - Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Update
September 22, 2025
"Since 2019, MFS has been releasing parasitoid wasps for the long-term management of emerald ash borer (#EAB) in the forests of Maine. These are tiny, non-stinging members of the order Hymenoptera, and they specialize in EAB. In most cases, they will not keep the mature trees already in the forest alive, but there is evidence from other states that have had EAB longer than we have that these #wasps provide protection to the seedlings and saplings as they grow. We are attempting to release them in as many areas with EAB as possible so that they can eventually spread throughout the state, allowing ash to remain in #Maine’s forests.
"As of 2025, we have released these #parasitoids in 20 sites throughout the range of EAB. Of the ten sites that are at the stage where we can start monitoring for their establishment, we have recovered one or both of Spathius or Tetrastichus at five of them: four in #YorkCounty and one in northern #Aroostook. We are still years away from actual control of EAB, but it is encouraging to start recovering parasitoids.
"With the many new detections of EAB in Maine in recent years, we would like to establish new biological control release sites. The ash-dominated forests that serve as release sites can be public or privately owned. Many of our cooperators are private woodlot owners. Ideally, we would like to ship biological control directly to a local landowner or manager and have them conduct releases after training by MFS. The releases take 5-15 minutes, 4-6 times a summer for two summers. We are looking for new release sites in areas where EAB has recently become established. Specifically, we would like to find sites in or near #BarHarborME, #SolonME, #BelfastME, the #BathME / #BrunswickME area, #CoastalMaine south of #PortlandME, and #WesternMaine west of #LewistonME. If you have forested land in one of these areas and are potentially interested in having it become a biological release site, please review the guidelines and information about EAB biocontrol available on-line, and email foresthealth @ maine . gov (no spaces) with the town in which your ash stand is, the approximate acreage of ash, and the coordinates (approximate is fine) of the stand. If it looks like your land would be suitable for a biological control site, we will reach out to you."
Source:
Emailed newsletter
Link to guidelines (PDF):
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/eab/documents/meeting-082020/Emerald%20Ash%20Borer%20Biocontrol%20Info%20For%20Potential%20Cooperators.pdf
#InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees #SaveTheForests #ProtectTheSacred #Wabanaki #Basketry #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol
Gov. #JanetMills issues standing order to make #CovidVaccines available to #Mainers without prescription
by Eesha Pendharkar
Fri, September 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM EDT
Excerpt: " 'I will not stand idly by while the #Trump Administration makes it harder for #Maine people to get a vaccine that protects their health and could very well save their life,' Mills said in a statement. 'Through this standing order, we are stepping up to knock down the barriers the Trump Administration is putting in the way of the health and welfare of Maine people.' "
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-mills-issues-standing-order-171438127.html
#MaineQuestion1 is a good reason to vote in an "off-year" election (you know, when the sneaky types try and pass shit!).
#Mainers like #AbsenteeVoting. Question 1 would make that option harder.
The November referendum has been framed around requiring #VoterID, but it also includes a host of changes to absentee voting.
Rachel Ohm, August 24, 2025
Excerpt: "#MaineVoters have come to increasingly rely on absentee or #MailInBallots — a practice that is routinely targeted by #Republicans politicians as rife with potential fraud, even though evidence doesn’t support that.
"During last year’s presidential election, almost half of all votes cast were absentee. The latest citizen-initiated proposal would make that more difficult.
If passed, it would prohibit voters from requesting absentee ballots by phone, and would require older Mainers and those with disabilities to renew their eligibility each year. The proposal also would limit the number of #DropBoxes municipalities are allowed to have and prohibit them from including prepaid return postage."
Archived version:
https://archive.md/CuNbt
#Absentee #BallotAccess #Disabled #Poor #MaineVoters #DisabilityRights #VoterDisenfranchisement #USPol #MainePol #USElections
#Mainers in kayaks protest Chief Justice #JohnRoberts near his island home
by Stephen Betts, Midcoast Villager
July 19, 2025
"#Kayakers who say they oppose the direction the U.S. Supreme Court has taken the country took to the water Saturday morning to protest near the seasonal home of Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.
"The flotilla launched its kayaks from the new public landing in Port Clyde and paddled a few hundred yards to Roberts’ home on Hupper Island.
"The chief justice and his wife Jane Roberts purchased the home in June 2006. He typically spends time at the seasonal home after the high court recesses for the summer. Their chief residence is in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Signs voicing opposition to the #SupremeCourt’s rulings were brought in the kayaks, and others lined the waterfront.
"Signs referred to rulings that they said harm the #LBTQ community, the overturning of campaign spending limits for #corporations in the #CitizensUnited case in 2010, the overturning of a woman’s right to #abortion in 2022, and more recent rulings that grant the president immunity from actions taken while president.
"Organizer Susan MacNeil-Densmore said earlier this week she is affiliated with the organization #AudacityCAT (#CreativeActionTogether) which has been active locally working to resist #authoritarianism, but said the event was not really part of any specific organization."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LQqrV
#SCOTUS #ProtectTransKids
#reproductiverights #Maine #GBLTQRights #CorruptSCOTUS #Corporatocracy #NoVacationsDuringDeportations
TOMORROW! At Riverbank Park in #WestbrookME!
"On Saturday, July 26, Americans in every corner of the country will come together in peaceful marches, rallies, and actions to say: Our families come first—not #billionaires, not #authoritarians, and not #CorruptPoliticians.
"#Mainers are coming together as families and community members to amplify our collective experiences and demand that our leaders step up to meet the needs of families across the state. Join us on Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m. in Riverbank Park in Westbrook!
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/familiesfirst/event/812386/
"Do you have a story about how cuts to essential programs like #Medicaid, #FoodStamps, #SchoolLunches will impact your family and loved ones? Join us to share your story and to say NOT ONE MORE child without lunch, NOT ONE MORE #elder without #medicine, NOT ONE MORE #immigrant abducted, and NOT ONE MORE family left to suffer so #billionaires can get richer."
Sponsored by the #MainePeoplesAlliance and the #MaineWomensLobby
#MaineResists #TrumpSucks #ICEKidnapping #IllegalDetension #Fascism #BigUglyBill #MedicaidCuts
😢 Poet #AndreaGibson, candid explorer of life, death and identity, dies at 49
By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and Hillel Italie
Updated 8:10 PM EDT, July 14, 2025
"Andrea Gibson, a celebrated #poet and #Performanceartist who through their verse explored #GenderIdentity, politics and their 4-year battle with terminal ovarian cancer, died Monday at age 49.
"Gibson’s death was announced on social media by their wife, Megan Falley. Gibson and Falley are the main subjects of the documentary 'Come See Me in the Good Light,' winner of the Festival Favorite Award this year at the Sundance Film Festival and scheduled to air this fall on Apple TV+.
" 'Andrea Gibson died in their home (in Boulder, Colorado) surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs,' Monday’s announcement reads in part.
"The film — exploring the couple’s enduring love as Gibson battles cancer — is directed by Ryan White and includes an original song written by Gibson, Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile. During a screening at Sundance in January that left much of the audience in tears, Gibson said they didn’t expect to live long enough to see the documentary."
Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/andrea-gibson-died-49-cancer-documentary-7fd829ad0acee18fe76614f9f1fdeae5
#RIPAndreaGibson #LGBTQPoet #Mainers #YouBetterBeLightning #TakeMeWithYou #LordOfTheButterflies
#SusanCollins isn't concerned enough! But who will run against her? #JanetMills should have, but chose not to. What choice do #Mainers have? Mister #SpaceX Dude? Not sure if I trust any of them...
Susan Collins Gets Warning From #Maine Voters—Poll
Published Jun 26, 2025
"A University of New Hampshire (UNH) poll found that Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is unpopular among Mainers, only 30 percent of whom support its passage. Fifty-eight percent, on the other hand, say they do not want to see it become law. The bill includes several provisions that would allow Trump and Republicans to significantly overhaul tax and social policies.
"Among Maine independents—a crucial voting bloc for Collins—72 percent do not want to see it become law, while 21 percent support the bill.
"Trump is also increasingly unpopular in the Pine Tree State, according to the poll. Sixty percent of respondents disapproved of him, while 40 percent approved of his job performance. In April, he was viewed positively by 42 percent of Mainers, according to UNH."
https://www.newsweek.com/susan-collins-gets-warning-maine-voters-poll-2091265
