Donations can be dropped off at 263 Main Street in Bangor. Parking is available next to our building. Please come to the front door, knock, and let staff know you are looking to donate. We will be happy to direct you. Thank you!
Items that are commonly needed for day-to-day Shelter operations include:
- Plastic cutlery (forks, spoons, butter knives)
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Soap
- Deoderant
- Disposable razors
- Shaving Cream
- 8oz Styrofoam Cups
- Winter Gloves
- Antibacterial Wipes
Do you want to give and don’t feel like shopping? Well, the Shelter has a registry at Walmart that includes a list of items that can be purchased online and sent directly to us. If you are interested in utilizing this giving option you can visit www.walmart.com and search for Bangor Area Homeless Shelter under registries or click on this link https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/3e91a027-2dc9-47e1-9494-da9d7e8ac3fc
Other Acceptable Donations
- New undergarments
- New socks
- Sweatpants/Leggings
- T-shirts
- Sweaters/Hoodies
- Winter Jackets
- Winter Boots
- Sneakers, work boots, and shoes appropriate for walking
- Belts
- New Toiletries
Donations We Do Not Accept
- Used linen (i.e., towels, washcloths, blankets, sheets, etc.)
- Used socks and other undergarments
- Household Furniture
- Formal Attire (i.e., prom dresses, wedding dresses, suits, etc.)
- Bathing Suits
- Offensive or inappropriate clothing
- Cleats, stilettos, ice skates, slippers, dress boots and sandals not practical for lengthy walks
- Children’s items of any kind as our Shelter only serves individuals over the age of 18
- Used toiletries
- Expired food, or food in damaged cans/packaging
If you have items you want to get rid of, but think they may not be a good fit at the Shelter, you might consider donating them to Win-Win located at 388 South Main Street in Brewer. When you donate items to Win-Win you can specify that you want Bangor Area Homeless Shelter to benefit from the sale. Our charity number at Win-Win is 13. Please visit https://www.winwin207.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/winwin207maine to learn more about how your donations can benefit the Shelter and other charitable organizations.
Meals:
If you or your group would like to drop off a prepared meal to be served to our Shelter guests or Warming Center guests or if you are interested in cooking and serving a meal in our kitchen, signing up is now easier than ever. Just call our Volunteer Coordinator Gretchen at (207) 947-0092 or e-mail gretchenf@bangorareashelter.org for available dates and make a reservation.
Money:
Even the smallest amount of money makes a difference to the Shelter and its ability to serve the homeless population in Bangor. Even if you don’t have time to give to the Shelter, donating money is a great way to show your support for our work and our mission. If you would like to make an online donation to the Shelter, please click the PayPal button below. If you would like to support us with a monthly donation, you can easily do so by checking the recurring donation box on our PayPal donation page. In-person donations by cash or check are also accepted at our front desk. If you would like to mail a check, please make it out to Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and send it to 263 Main St. Bangor, ME 04401.
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Food:
The Shelter relies on donations of food to provide three meals per day to our guests. Food donations including everything from event leftovers to canned goods. We accept donations of food at 263 Main Street in Bangor. Did you know that a federal law makes it easier and safer to donate food to the Shelter? On October 1, 1996, President Clinton signed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to encourage the donation of food and grocery products to non-profit organizations for distribution to needy individuals. The Act:
- Protects donors from liability when donating to a non-profit organization in good faith, even if a donated product later causes harm to a needy recipient.
- Standardizes donor liability exposure across all fifty states, meaning that donors and their legal counsel no longer have to investigate liability on a state-by-state basis.
- It standardizes donor liability exposure. Donors and their legal counsel no longer have to investigate liability laws in 50 states.
- Sets a liability floor of “gross negligence” or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products.
- Recognizes that the provision of food close to the recommended date of retail sale is, in and of itself, not grounds for finding gross negligence.
Additional Info on How to Donate
Thinking about making the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your retirement account at the end of the calendar year? Did you know that you may be able to avoid taxes on the RMD or other distributions by donating them to charity? A Qualified Charitable Distribution moves money directly from your retirement account to a charity (like the Shelter) with no taxes due. Check with your tax adviser to see if this could work for you.