NEWS & UPDATES
Service and Sacrifice: Portland's Preble Street Refuses to Give up on Homeless Veterans
On any given day, dozens gather outside in Portland’s Bayside area, waiting to get inside the Preble Street Resource Center and soup kitchen for a meal. As Homeless Veteran Al Libby puts it, “if you’re hungry enough, you’ll appreciate it.” And, although he says he appreciates the food, and the warm place to sleep, Libby
Never mind questions of character, leadership; who will keep food prices low?
Walking briskly up Exchange Street and realizing it was time to break out a warmer jacket, I was stopped by a man who saw the “I voted today” sticker I was wearing. “Excuse me,” he said. “Who did you vote for?… Did you vote for the people who won’t increase the price of food? I
Maine Calling: Finding Solutions to Homelessness
Despite discouraging news headlines about homelessness, some innovative Maine organizations have had meaningful success in reducing homelessness and improving the lives of the homeless population. We’ll learn about these solutions and what it would take to expand them. Guests: Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street in Portland Stephanie Primm, executive director of Hospitality House
Positively Maine: Mark Swann
Tory Ryden created Positively Maine in response to the explosion of negative, troubling and worry-inducing news stories that infiltrate all air waves. The show is an hour-long and features no vitriolic arguments–rather, inspirational, informative stories that motivate and, the goal is, uplift. We feature individuals, groups and companies from every pocket of this great state
Free meals for children
The Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative (PSMHI) provides hunger relief to children during the summer at free summer meal sites positioned throughout Cumberland County. This year, Windham once again has a site of its own. Free lunch is served to children aged 5-18 from Monday through Friday, weather dependent, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Student Fellow Focuses on the Social Side of Health
This summer a good number of students sought out health-related internships that took place outside the hospital or doctor’s clinic and instead were situated within the community. Several were supported financially with fellowships from Bowdoin. Below is a brief description of one student’s summer position, supported by a grant from Bowdoin Career Planning’s funded internship
Pingree, Concannon visit 1 of nearly 400 summer meals sites in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Rep. Chellie Pingree joined a member of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture at one of Maine’s summer meals sites on Tuesday. The USDA funds nearly 400 sites throughout the state where Monday through Friday, kids can get a free meal. “The USDA, we support these meals, but it takes partnerships
School increases breakfast participation rate 71%
NORWAY — Guy E. Rowe Elementary School was recently named a top-six finisher in the Full Plates Full Potential challenge. The school increased its breakfast participation rate by 71 percent, which is credited to the school’s recent switch to offering breakfast to all students in the classroom. The school served 708 additional breakfasts the week
Hunger crisis in Maine prompts national attention
WESTBROOK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Many kids in Maine, off for the summer, can’t wait to get back to school. It’s because, for some, it’s the only place they’ll get a reliable meal. Many Maine adults also rely on a food assistance program called “SNAP,” which the state and Governor LePage are threatening to eliminate.
Organizations come together to make sure Maine kids have enough to eat year round
PORTLAND (WGME) — Kids who get free or reduced school lunch often have to go hungry in the summer because school is out. But several local groups are coming together to make sure children in Maine have enough to eat year round. Portland Public Schools, the Maine Hunger Initiative and the United Way’s “Starting Strong”
18-unit affordable housing complex opens in Portland
PORTLAND, Maine —A number of formerly homeless veterans now have a place to call home, thanks to a new property in Portland. Thomas Heights held its grand opening celebration Wednesday. The 18-unit affordable housing property is on Washington Avenue. The building was named for Thomas Ptacek, an advocate for homeless veterans. With a shortage in
Taking affordable housing to new "Heights"
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Formerly homeless veterans are getting a new lease on life thanks to an affordable housing project in Portland. “Thomas Heights” is an 18-unit efficiency apartment building, with five of those units housing previously homeless vets. Avesta Housing was able to complete the $3.6 million dollar project with help from city
