stronger together: help purchase a home for presente!
Our journey began with the launch of the Food Brigade in our founder’s garage.
It was a tiny emergency response unit facing the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a community other programs didn’t know they were missing. Recognizing the crisis facing Maine’s Latine community, we were soon feeding hundreds of families in central and southern Maine. “If I can’t buy food, I’ll die anyway,” our neighbors answered when we encouraged isolation. So, we brought food.
In the years since,
We’ve continued to uplift and advocate for thousands of people in Greater Portland and the surrounding areas. We’ve cobbled together donated space and rentals, battling predatory landlords and prejudiced neighbors. We’ve conducted meetings in our cars, using any available space to strategize, plan, and ensure the smooth delivery of our services. And we've continued to feed our community.
Presently, our greatest barrier is space.
We need more offices and more gathering spaces; we need a kitchen and a garden. We need the agency and structural integrity that a home base provides. Our team - led by Queer, Indigenous women & staffed by multicultural, multilingual community members - is eager to do the work we set out to do.
To fully realize our potential, we need space that aligns with our values.
We need a place to grow in to build a supportive, resilient, and vibrant community. Our dream of securing a safe, permanent location is about more than just physical space; it’s about cementing our commitment to the community we serve and increasing our capacity to serve them.
We’re standing at a critical crossroads.
Your support can help us secure the space to build a brighter, more stable future for our community!
Or if you prefer to send us a check, you can mail it to PO Box 4202, Portland, ME 04101!
Presente! is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
EIN: 87-3756331