Increasing Maine’s emergency readiness

Something will happen again, whether it be a natural disaster or global pandemic. When it does happen, Preble Street will be there to work with partners and support our community. Mark Swann, Preble Street Executive Director During the pandemic, Preble Street, like many other organizations, had to suspend its soup kitchen operations for the safety … Read more

Preble Street receives $1 million to focus on food insecurity in Maine

Hunger in Maine has grown substantially since the pandemic began and Preble Street is on track to provide over 1 million hot and pantry meals for the third year in a row. Because of this drastic increase in demand for food, Preble Street launched its new Food Security Hub in South Portland, a sustainable, comprehensive, … Read more

Volunteer reflections

An incredible 1,108 volunteers donated over 13,500 hours of their time to Preble Street this year to help support Mainers experiencing hunger and homelessness! It takes many, many hands to accomplish all we do — including providing over 1 million meals each year and ensuring people living outside have the clothing and gear they need … Read more

Nourishing, healthy meals for all

Maine has the highest rate of food insecurity in New England and is one of the most food insecure states in the country. One in five Maine children do not get enough food to eat, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by this rise in hunger. To combat this, Preble … Read more

Maine Observer: Sadness needn’t diminish joy of holidays

… Yesterday, I volunteered at the Preble Street soup kitchen for the first time. There, in the big gray building, amidst the homeless, was joy. Mary welcomed me with a "thank you hon" and put me to work. As I was setting salt and pepper shakers on the tables, an older man handed me a … Read more

Businesses helping feed the homeless

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 … Read more