How to help those who help people without homes

Our readers have been very generous in reaching out to help the homeless and other at-risk populations in our communities in recent weeks. Many of you have asked how you can help, so here is a list of local agencies that accept donations for their good work. If your agency is not listed and you’d like to be included in this resource list, please send an email to [email protected] with information about your agency and contact information.

Rumford Group Homes, established in 1974, is a community-based nonprofit social service agency that serves abused, neglected and homeless youth and their families in Maine, with an emphasis on the region of Oxford, Androscoggin and Franklin counties.

Website, rumfordgrouphomes.org; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 364-3551

The Store Next Door Project, established in 2006, provides tangible items such as new and gently used clean clothing and footwear, winter coats and boots, backpacks and school supplies, underwear and socks, toiletries and hygiene products, household goods and cleaning supplies, laundry items and laundromat vouchers, gas cards and bus/cab vouchers, food, Lewiston High School logo items and sports team gear to Lewiston youth.

Facebook, facebook.com/SNDLHS/; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 755-7252

The Auburn PAL Center, which opened in 2013, is a project of the Auburn Police Department designed to help at-risk youth by providing educational and athletic activities for kids after school and during the summer, including providing free healthy meals for children and teaching them how to garden.

Website, auburnpal.com/home; phone, (207) 333-6650, ext. 2041

New Beginnings in Lewiston has been serving runaway and homeless youth and their families in Androscoggin, Franklin and Kennebec counties since 1980, providing multiple essential safety net services for young people who don’t have stable family support and are at risk of homelessness, including food, clothing, shelter housing and more.

Website, newbeginmaine.org/: phone, (207) 795-4077; helpline, (207) 795-4070

Western Maine Homeless Outreach in Farmington, founded in 2013, provides emergency overnight shelter for families in western Maine, and works to strengthen families to be self-sustaining.

Website, uwtva.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=56945; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 778-0707

Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, a secular nonprofit operating for more than 30 years, addresses unmet needs of underserved people in Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn area through collaboration with local, state and federal organizations, and other agencies and churches. Services include a meals program, food pantry, outreach, a warming center, and refugee assistance.

Website, trinityjubileecenter.org/; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 782-5700

Safe Voices, a nonprofit since 1977, provides support services and emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

Website, safevoices.org/; in Auburn, (207) 795-6744, in Farmington, (207) 778-6107, in South Paris, (207) 743-5806, in Rumford, (207) 369-0750, 24-hour helpline, 1-800-559-2927

Pleasant Street Drop-in Center at the First Universalist Church: 169 Pleasant St., Auburn: email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 783-0461

Hope Haven Gospel Mission: 209 Lincoln St., Lewiston; website, hopehavengospelmission.net; email, [email protected]com; phone, (207) 783-6086

St. Martin de Porres, men’s homeless residence: 23 Bartlett St., Lewiston; website, st-martin-de-porres.business.site/; phone, (207) 786-4690

Rural Community Action Ministries, serving Buckfield, Canton, Greene, Hartford, Leeds, Litchfield, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Monmouth, Sabattus, Sumner, Turner, Wales and Wayne: 81 Church Hill Road, Leeds; website, rcam.net/; phone, (207) 524-5095

Sheltered by Jesus L/A, men’s Christian home: 100 Pine St, Lewiston; website, shelteredbyjesusla.com/; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 241-7047

Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine: 3121 Hotel Road, Auburn; website, www.gsfb.org/; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 782-3554

Harrison Food Bank: 176 Waterford Road, Harrison; website, harrisonfoodbank.com/; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 647-3384

High Street Community Food Pantry: 106 Pleasant St., Auburn; website, highstreet-ucc.org/food-pantry/; phone, (207) 784-1306

Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry: 316 Minot Ave., Auburn, website, auburnsdachurch.org/food-pantry; email, [email protected]; phone, (207) 784-0861