Portland non-profits collecting gear for homeless people before sub-zero cold sets in
“Negative 30 degrees with windchill. It’s unlivable.”
“Negative 30 degrees with windchill. It’s unlivable.”
“Negative 30 degrees with windchill. It’s unlivable.”
As Maine prepares for sub-zero temperatures, multiple warming shelters will be open in Portland over the weekend.
The downtown Portland Public Library at 5 Monument Square is serving as a warming shelter during normal business hours: weekdays 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and First Parish Church will have a warming shelter on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“If people are outside in weather that is extremely cold, below 20 degrees, frostbite sets in very quickly, and you can die," said First Parish Church administrator Hannah Gilman.
As of Tuesday night, the city has not announced any overnight warming shelters for the upcoming weekend, so many homeless people could be spending multiple nights outside in the elements during sub-zero temperatures.
“Negative 30 degrees with windchill," said Charlie Bleecker, a volunteer with Port City Mutual Aid. "It’s unlivable.”
Multiple local non-profits are collecting cold weather gear to distribute to homeless Mainers to help them get through the weekend.
“The clothing and survival gear donations that we're getting go a really long way," Bleecker said. "But ultimately, you know, the only thing that will help folks survive for the night is going to be shelter and sustained heat.”
Port City Mutual Aid is accepting Venmo donations to buy warm clothing at @PortCity-MutualAid and will be collecting hats, gloves, jackets, blankets, sleeping bags and other winter gear at Urban Farm Fermentory at 200 Anderson Street over the next few days during the following times:
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday" 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
First Parish Church is collecting socks, hand warmers, and other personal items for their care kits. You can drop donations off at the church during their normal business hours, 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during services on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Maine Needs is always taking in-season clothing donations at 332 Forest Ave. on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.