Feeding Maine sustainably

Climate change affects everyone, but people living in poverty — especially people living outside — are most vulnerable to rising temperatures, natural disasters, and global threats to food security. Sustainability is built in at the Preble Street Food Security Hub (FSH), where we address urgent food security needs. The Food Security Hub is currently undergoing … Read more

Betty: A volunteer’s story

Betty Haymon has been volunteering at Preble Street every month for 25 years. In the summer of 2000, she signed up to do the breakfast shift at the Resource Center Soup Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Shortly after, she was given a tour of the Teen Center and told that their kitchen … Read more

Preble Street Volunteers are #CompassionInAction

For 50 years, volunteers have been a key part of Preble Street, helping ensure that the agency is able to meet the basic human rights of Mainers. In fact, the agency was staffed solely by student interns and volunteers for its first 10 years! Today, over 1,500 volunteers contribute 20,000 hours of service each year. … Read more

Five Years Later: How Preble Street’s Response to COVID-19 Shaped Its Future

During our 50 years in operation, Preble Street has had to adapt to changing needs and a shifting landscape many times. Never was this truer than in the days, months, and years that followed March 16, 2020. Five years ago this month, while the world was urged to stay home, a question loomed over staff … Read more

Food Is a Human Right: Protecting Access to Nutrition in Maine

In honor of National Nutrition Month, we take a look at the emergency food system in Maine. Food pantries and anti-hunger non-profits like Preble Street play an important role in ensuring people experiencing food insecurity have consistent access to healthy and nutritious food. Since opening in 1975, Preble Street has worked to ensure that everyone … Read more

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, support our community, and ensure people are getting fed. Mark Swann, Preble Street Executive Director During the pandemic, Preble Street, like many other organizations, had to suspend its soup … Read more

Thank you, volunteers!

The dedication, compassion, and hard work of Preble Street volunteers make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. This year, we’ve had over 1,300 individual volunteers contributing nearly 20,000 volunteer hours.   Our volunteers make time in their busy schedules and come out in all kinds of challenging Maine weather to make a positive … Read more

A look back at 2024

2024 was a year full of many difficult challenges and lessons but also a year full of progress on important issues. After 50 years, Preble Street understands how important it is to recognize the positive while still holding space to learn from the obstacles we’ve faced.  As 2024 comes to a close, Preble Street looks … Read more

Portland Media Group raises $24,000 and counting for Preble Street Food Programs

On Monday, November 25, 2024, local radio stations Coast 93.1, 98.9 WCLZ and 101.9 WPOR joined forces for the 19th annual Neighbors in Need Donation Drive for Preble Street Food Programs. More than 300 people and local organizations donated, beating the $20,000 goal and raising more than $24,000 and counting! All proceeds benefit Preble Street Food Programs, which provides nearly 1,000,000 meals each … Read more