LEWISTON — A statewide group that encourages homeless people to be politically active rallied Thursday outside a Lewiston soup kitchen, calling on the government to boost its housing voucher program.

Homeless Voices for Justice brought formerly homeless people from Augusta, Portland and Brunswick to the event outside the Trinity Jubilee Center. Organizer Amy Regan handed out copies of homeless people’s written pleas to representatives of Maine’s congressional delegation. Each packet of letters was wrapped like a Christmas present.

The event also included a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” with the words altered to continue the group’s plea: “… Where the homeless were not as lucky as the mouse.”

Homelessness is on the rise across Maine, particularly among people who have never been homeless before, Regan said.

Like a failing bank, homeless people need a bailout, said Edwin I. Prayley, a 55-year-old veteran who lives in a Portland shelter.

“Congress has billions and billions of dollars,” Prayley said. He plans to run for governor next year as an independent candidate.

“Take all the old buildings and make them one-bedroom apartments for everybody,” he said.

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Andrew Hayman of Homeless Voices for Justice, based in Portland, rolls up a sign after a press conference at the Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston on Thursday. The group is calling for more Section 8 vouchers in Maine. “We’re very instrumental in that you don’t need a home to vote,” said Hayman of the grassroots organization.