stronger together: help purchase a home for presente!
Four years ago, 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 Latinx 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 & surrounding areas. We’ve cobbled together donated space & rentals, battling predatory landlords & prejudiced neighbors. We’ve conducted meetings in our cars, using any available space to strategize, plan, & ensure the smooth delivery of our services. & we've continued to feed our community.
Presently, our greatest barrier is space.
We need more offices & more gathering spaces; we need a kitchen & 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, & 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 & 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