During a festive time of year, many Mainers are also thinking of those who are struggling. If you’ve got clothing, furniture, baby items and other essential goods that you feel moved to donate to those in need, there are a number of organizations that accept in-kind or monetary donations to help others during the holidays.

If you know of an organization that is hosting a food drive or clothing or toy collection effort, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected].

Here’s where and how you can donate several types of critically needed items.

FOOD

One of the best ways to donate food in Maine is through monetary donations. You can also reach out to these organizations to inquire about hosting a food drive yourself.

To donate to Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, head to gsfb.org.

Wayside Food Programs in Portland takes donations at waysidemaine.org.

The Harrison Food Bank accepts monetary donations at harrisonfoodbank.com/donate.

Catholic Charities of Maine’s food bank supplies 24 food pantries in Aroostook County. Donations are accepted at ccmaine.org/donate.

Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger is soliciting donations for its ‘Holiday Meals for Mainers’ project. Each $2 donation will buy a meal for a family of four. Get more information at campaignforendinghunger.org.

Teamsters Local 340 is hosting a food drive through Dec. 14 for donations, both of food and money, for Good Shepherd Food bank. facebook.com/photo/?fbid=846103041708956&set=a.123136127338988

CLOTHING

Maine Needs

Location: 2385 Congress St., Portland. maineneeds.org.

Donations: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday.

Details: Maine Needs serves individuals and families statewide by partnering with social service organizations to support asylum seekers, students, people who are unhoused, survivors of domestic violence and others facing financial adversity. The Maine Needs website lists what they’re accepting at any given time, and it’s a good idea to check before heading there. Examples of current needs include winter coats, winter boots, new underwear and socks. Donors are asked to give seasonally appropriate items.

State Street Church Clothes Closet

Location: 159 State St., Portland. statestreetchurch.org.

Donations: Call (207) 774-6396 to schedule a drop off time for donations.

Details: The Clothes Closet at State Street Church offers free clothing, kitchen supplies and linens to anyone in need.

Tabitha’s Closet at Winthrop Methodist Church

Location: 58 Main St., Winthrop. winthropumc.org/tabithas-closet.

Donations: Items can be placed in the white shed with the red door directly behind the Autism Society of Maine at 72 Main St.

Details: Tabitha’s Closet offers gently used clothing, footwear, linens and personal care items for children and adults.

Through These Doors

Location: The 16-bed residential shelter is in a private Portland location.

Donations: Those wishing to make a donation can submit a message to schedule a drop-off time at throughthesedoors.org/contact/.

Details: Through These Doors is a Cumberland County domestic violence resource center. Families staying at the shelter receive food, clothing and personal care items. The shelter wish list includes gift cards to grocery and retail stores like Target and Walmart, cookware sets, dinnerware sets, bath towel sets, diapers, tech accessories including phone chargers and headphones, household cleaning supplies, personal care items like shampoo and body wash and personal hygiene items including tampons, pads and deodorant. Through These Doors also serves survivors who are unhoused, with needed items including winter coats, backpacks, sleeping bags, tarps and flashlights.

FURNITURE & HOUSEHOLD

Furniture Friends

Location: 15 Saunders Way, Westbrook. furniturefriends.org.

Donations: 2 – 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday. Furniture Friends also offers free pick up of furniture in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Falmouth Foreside, Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Westbrook and Yarmouth.

Details: Furniture Friends supports individuals and families in maintaining their housing and transitioning beyond homelessness. Gently used items are given free to community members lacking financial resources. The Furniture Friends website maintains a list of acceptable items, including mattresses and box springs (free of stains and in good condition), bureaus, couches, coffee tables and chairs.

Furniture Ministry at First Baptist Church

Location: 723 Main St., Westbrook

Donations: Call Furniture Ministry coordinator Dana Kelly at (207) 838-0791 to make arrangements.

Details: The Furniture Ministry’s goal is to help Westbrook’s newest residents get settled in their apartments by supplying furniture and kitchen supplies. The church accepts donations of used furniture, pots, pans and small kitchen appliances, to be given to new immigrants, asylum seekers, people rebuilding their lives after opioid addiction, and anyone else in need.

Maine Needs

Location: 2385 Congress St., Portland. maineneeds.org.

Donations: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday.

Details: Maine Needs accepts new cleaning supplies and household items like dish sets, mixing bowls and bath towels. New toiletries are also appreciated, including lotion, deodorant and shampoo. For people who are unhoused, Maine Needs accepts donations of tents, sleeping bags, water bottles, backpacks and other items. Baby and toddler items needed include warm clothing, diapers (open packages welcome), wipes, snow boots, and strollers among several other essentials.

TOYS

The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund

Location: Maine Trust for Local News, South Portland

Donations: Send checks to Press Herald Toy Fund, 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland, ME 04106, or donate online at pressherald.com/toy-fund.

Details: The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund, which began as the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, has been supporting Maine families since 1949.

South Portland Holiday Toy Drive

Location: South Portland

Donations: 16 South Portland businesses are collecting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 15. See the whole list at sopotoydrive.org.

Details: Monetary donations can be made at sopotoydrive.org.

WMPG Children’s Gift Drive

Location: WMPG, 92 Bedford St., Portland.

Donations: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. See details at wmpg.org.

Details: Donations of new, unwrapped toys and items including gift cards, science kits and headphones can be made through Dec. 19. Donations can also be made during business hours at The Souvenir Shop (2 Exchange St., Portland), Lush (Maine Mall, South Portland), Theatre Department at University of Southern Maine (Gorham campus) and on Fridays at Hi-Fidelity Brewing (200 Anderson St., Portland).

BICYCLES

Portland Gear Hub

Location: 155 Washington Ave., Portland.

Donations: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday. portlandgearhub.org.

Details: Portland Gear Hub accepts donations of bicycles, bicycle components and accessories and a wide range of outdoor gear. A number of bicycles are made available to anyone who needs one. The next round of applications for free bicycles opens up in February.