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OUR MISSION

The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.

Our Programs

From a nutritious meal to crisis intervention, from clean clothes to healthcare, from shelters to a permanent home, Preble Street programs not only meet urgent needs but also create solutions to homelessness and hunger.

Who We Serve

The people we meet come from every background. Some were born into abject poverty and abuse. Others were born into a loving and stable family, but life’s circumstances dictated a wildly unanticipated course.

OUR ANNUAL IMPACT

homeless youth find safety, services, and housing
0
Veterans and their families receive housing support
0
meals served to families and individuals in need
1 M
homeless adults have basic needs met & work towards goals
0
survivors of human trafficking reclaim their lives
0
shelter nights avoided through Site-based Housing First
30000

Preble Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of friends who lend their time and their resources. Every gift you make, every hour you spend, helps those most in need.

LATEST NEWS

Maine’s 40 Emergency Shelter Providers are thankful for one-time funding to support shelter operations

Maine’s emergency shelter providers applaud the passage Relying on a mix of private philanthropy and government funding, emergency shelters have faced rising costs, weathered the pandemic and inflation, and continued to meet the changing and complex needs of individuals and families who need help. Maine’s 40 emergency shelters are at capacity almost every night and

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Walking alongside survivors

Photo credit: Maine Morning Star  Preble Street’s work is never done in isolation. We are continuously making connections with other social service providers and nonprofits to better serve clients and the needs of the community. This month, we are highlighting a key partner of Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services, MECASA.  The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

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The Longest Day of Homelessness

“Homelessness is hard work… Sometimes, the hardest thing for a person who is homeless to do, believe it or not, is just getting out of bed knowing that he’s going to repeat today what he’s been doing all week long.” Orlando (pictured above), Advocate; Person experiencing homelessness  On Friday, June 20, while many of us

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Seeing the possibilities

Mark Swann’s remarks from the Preble Street 50th Anniversary Celebration  Thank you to every single person who is here tonight. I am so blown away by seeing how many of you came out tonight to help us celebrate 50 years.    I am really proud of all of the work that we’ve done at Preble Street.

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An evening of hope, joy, and compassion

On June 17, 2025, hundreds of people who share in our mission and values gathered to celebrate Preble Street’s 50th Anniversary! We knew it would be special, and the amount of hope, joy, and compassion swirling through the event was truly something to behold. Every person present brought an energy that added to the magic

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FEATURED STORIES

Brian’s story

Brian Hester is a proud Marine Corps Veteran. If you ask, he’ll tell you he “loved every minute” of his two-and-a-half years of service with the Marines. But, like many Veterans in Maine and all over the U.S., Brian cycled in and out

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Peter’s Story

Peter was homeless for eight months, sleeping on the street and in different shelters in Augusta and Lewiston. He’s an Air Force Veteran, originally from Madawaska, Maine, who lost housing when his landlord increased his rent with only a month’s notice. “I had

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Ron’s Story

“I’ll say it 1000 times over, the VA saved my life,” shares Ron. Ron is a former U.S. Marine. He currently lives at a residential facility in Lewiston, Maine, operated by Veteran’s Inc., a nonprofit that provides support services to Veterans and Veteran families

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

Every week 350 community volunteers lend a hand at Preble Street and almost 100% of the food and clothing we distribute is donated. We welcome — we depend on — your time, financial support, and in-kind donations. Volunteering at one meal a year, once in a while, or every week; donating work boots for someone trying to turn their life around, or organizing a fundraiser — every gift you give helps those most in need.