How did you first get involved with Preble Street?
My wife is from Maine, and we’d come up frequently to visit my in-laws before moving up here permanently. On one of these trips, I was lucky enough to meet Swannie through my father-in-law, John Roberts, and got a tour of the organization. It stuck with me in the years between living away and moving up here.
What inspires you when you’re not at Preble Street?
I love learning and trying new things, like DIY projects and owning and operating a seasonal food truck in my spare time.
There are a lot of nonprofit organizations in southern Maine. Why do you think Preble Street stands out in the crowd? What is it that Preble Street does better than anyone else?
Despite it being such a large organization, staff are able to maintain a level of warmth and compassion for the people we serve. It’s really a testament to how truly everyone involved has bought into the mission of the organization.
We know why that is important to the people we serve, but why is that important to you or to others who might consider supporting us?
Preble Street can only be as strong and healthy as the most marginalized people we serve, so if there’s still a need, it means the job isn’t done. Preble Street has done a great job of meeting the needs of folks in a holistic way.
What are the biggest challenges Preble Street faces right now?
The biggest challenge is continuing to maintain and meet the needs of folks in an ever-changing landscape. The Board is constantly talking to senior leadership and staff about how we can best address the unmet needs of our clients in 2025.
Being a nonprofit board member can be very demanding and time-consuming. What makes it all worthwhile?
I enjoy opportunities to talk with staff and hanging out and volunteering with fellow board members. I have a background in non-profits, but I continue to learn a lot from everyone involved in this work.
Preble Street’s all-volunteer Board of Directors is invaluable to this agency. Thank you for all you do!
Read more Curbside
50 years of food security
At 6 am on a frosty morning in early November, the lights and ovens get turned on at the Preble Street Food Security Hub (FSH). By 7am, volunteers and staff begin to fill the kitchen, and by 8:30 am, everything is humming along. The smell of roast chicken fills the air while knives go thunk
Everyone deserves a safety net
“I had just one thing in mind, one goal in mind,” shares Cindy Neff, from the apartment building she has been living in for the past six months. “I wanted to get off the streets. I wanted to live again. I wanted a roof over my head. I wanted that safety net back for myself.
Letter from Swannie: Winter/Spring 2026
There is a lot to reflect on as we wind down Preble Street’s 50th anniversary year. A lot! In February, Preble Street began operating our first 24/7 program outside of Portland when we stepped in to prevent the closure of Bangor’s Hope House Emergency Shelter. In June, we celebrated our anniversary with more than 800 partners, friends, volunteers, current and former staff, and community members and combined our voices to call for Justice for