PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — More than two dozen businesses, churches and schools are answering the call to help feed the homeless while Portland’s largest soup kitchen is temporarily closed.

Employees at Verrill Dana spent their lunch break making sandwiches — a lot of sandwiches.

24-hundred pieces of bread and 12-hundred slices of luncheon meat and cheese all donated by Hannaford Supermarkets. Dozens and dozens of sandwiches were loaded into coolers and headed out the door.

‘We know a small effort on our part makes a big difference for the people who need it,’ said Gretchen Johnson, the marketing director at Verrill Dana.

The law firm is one of more than 25 businesses, churches and schools who are rallying around Preble Street Resource Center. The Center’s soup kitchen will be closed for renovations for four days beginning Friday morning through Monday evening.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the Sacred Heart Church on Mellen Street in Portland, beginning Friday through Monday evening. Meals will resume at the Preble Street Resource Center on Tuesday morning.