NEWS & UPDATES
TideSmart Talk #154: Mark Swann and Dana Totman
This week on TideSmart Talk, we focused on housing and homelessness in Maine. In this two-part show, Mark Swann from Preble Street joined us to describe what he, the staff, and over 6,000 volunteers do to help serve 600,000 meals annually and to people and to combat homelessness and poverty. Dana Totman of Avesta Housing
Love Maine Radio #212: Homeward Bound
Our homes provide us with much more than safety and warmth—they offer a place to retreat from a sometimes chaotic world and nourish our souls. Unfortunately, homelessness is an ongoing and ever-present issue in Maine. Today we speak with Navy veteran and Preble Street Veterans Healthcare Outreach Community Organizer Thomas Ptacek, who experienced a year of
In Memoriam: Leon Gorman 1934–2015
Like many in Maine, we were saddened to read of the passing of Leon Gorman, grandson of L.L.Bean founder Leon Leonwood Bean and either president or chairman of the company for 46 years. Outside of L.L.Bean, Gorman was known for his charitable pursuits. For this remembrance, we turned to Gorman’s friend Mark Swann, executive director
Portland council approves requirement for affordable housing units
By Randy Billings … William Higgins, advocate for Homeless Voices for Justice, said the group, which is composed of formerly homeless people, agrees with the intent of the ordinance. But he was concerned that social workers and teachers, among others, would not be able to afford those housing units. “We have great concern about how
L.L. Bean announces $125,000 donation to Preble Street in Leon Gorman’s name
BRUNSWICK – L.L. Bean’s board has approved donations of $125,000 apiece to Preble Street and to create a scholarship fund in the name of the company’s late leader, Leon Gorman. The announcement was made Thursday as Southern Maine Community College dedicated a new building, the L.L. Bean Learning Commons and Health Science Center in Brunswick.
DHHS Holds Public Hearing on Food Stamp Asset Test
The Department of Health and Human Services is implementing an asset test for people receiving food stamps. “We are going back to federal law pre-recession,” said Department of Health & Services Policy Research Director, David Sorensen. About 20 people attended a public hearing to express why they think people should or shouldn’t have to disclose
Opponents discuss new asset testing for SNAP recipients
AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — The Department of Health and Human services will reintroduce asset testing for some childless SNAP recipients. This will begin on November 1st and limit assets to $5,000. On Tuesday, DHHS held a public forum to hear from the public about their concerns. Director of Media Relations David Sorensen with DHHS
Food stamps asset test elicits criticism, support at Maine hearing
Thomas Ptacek credits food stamps with stabilizing his life and putting him on the path toward self-sufficiency. “I’m standing here today, working full time, making decent money, paying off a good and reliable car, investing in my future, taking on a hobby that makes me feel good, all because the (food stamp) program was a
Preble Street awarded $1.7M to aid veterans with housing needs in Maine
MACHIAS, Maine – Federal grants totaling nearly $4 million have been awarded to three organizations to help combat homelessness among veterans in Maine. A $290,000 grant to the Washington Hancock Community Agency marks the third year the agency has received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, said Jennifer Trowbridge, housing and veterans services director
Mark Swann Remembers Leon Gorman
… Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street, said Gorman volunteered at the agency’s Portland soup kitchen every Wednesday morning for 12 years. Swann announced that the agency’s volunteer of the year award will be named the Leon Gorman Volunteer Service Award. Swann remembered getting a call last winter from Gorman while Gorman was sitting
Shelter Food Pantry Helps People Who Didn't Get GA
PORTLAND, Maine – The Preble Street Resource Center here held an emergency food pantry Tuesday for asylum seekers who mistakenly did not receive General Assistance in the beginning of September. Gov. Paul LePage had intended to veto a bill last spring that required the state to reimburse cities that provide assistance to asylum seekers. After
Preble Street Friend and Volunteer Leon Gorman Dies
… Leon Gorman also donated his labor. Every Wednesday morning for more than 12 years, Gorman – who was known simply as “Leon” – helped cook breakfast for 400 people at Preble Street’s soup kitchen. There, he was just another volunteer who started off as a dishwasher and worked his way up to the grill,
