Snow doesn't stop volunteers from helping needy

PORTLAND, Maine -The snow may be slowing a lot of Thanksgiving plans, but not for two local groups serving those in need this holiday. They were hard at work Wednesday afternoon getting set for events on Thursday to help hundreds of people. Just as the first flakes fell, volunteers at Preble Street started the heavy … Read more

Compassionate winter break

In January, nine Bowdoin students spent a week on an "Alternative Winter Break" working with Preble Street Resource Center to learn about hunger and homelessness in Portland. During our first morning van ride to Portland, the group seemed unenthusiastic. We sat quietly and wondered what we were going to do, where the trip would lead … Read more

Portland Ovations to Partner with Community for Maine's Food Insecurity Issues

The performing arts are the one of the most compelling ways to communicate stories of the human condition, whether through dance, music, acting, even puppetry. This April, Portland Ovations – the non-profit performing arts presenter – brings Who’s Hungry, a powerful and provocative play utilizing tabletop puppet-theater to SPACE Gallery. Who’s Hungry tells the story … Read more

Mainers to see cut in SNAP benefits

PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) – Mainers on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are about to take a big hit because the federal stimulus package is expiring. More than $30 million a month goes to Maine residents through SNAP, or what’s commonly known as food stamps, but there will be big cuts across the board starting Nov. … Read more

Proposed SNAP Cuts Worry Maine Recipients

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a Republican proposal to slash $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Critics say it will result in four million low-income seniors, veterans, children and their families losing food stamps benefits. The move comes at a time when Maine is … Read more

Summer Meals in the state of Maine

For many kids, summer vacation is a time to relax – spend some time with their friends, head off to summer camp, or take a road trip with their family. But for too many Maine families, the summer months can be difficult. When school is out, kids no longer have access to school breakfast and … Read more

Portland Food Pantry gets much needed donation

For nearly a month, New England Rehab has been collecting non-perishable food items for the Preble Street Food Pantry in Portland. Monday, they delivered the last of those items to the pantry — which feeds about 150 families per week in the community. Besides being a place to pick up free groceries for struggling families… … Read more

How you can help end hunger in Maine

A long line of people wrapping around the building, mostly men and women but some children too, hugging the wall, waiting to get in. Waiting for a place at the table. No, this line is not the line winding every night around the Preble Street Soup Kitchen. Though this line is about hunger, it is … Read more

Our View: With hunger growing, not time to cut SNAP

Too many Americans don’t have enough to eat, but the big debate in Washington seems to be how much to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Senate and House committees have passed their own versions of a new farm bill. The Senate would cut SNAP (which used to be known as food stamps) by $4 … Read more

Anti-hunger film to screen in Portland

PORTLAND – Preble Street’s Maine Hunger Initiative is hosting the Portland premiere of "A Place at the Table," a documentary film on food insecurity, on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 p.m., at Nickelodeon Cinemas, 1 Temple St. An official selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, "A Place at the Table" tells the real-life stories … Read more