1% Back to Maine Day

Portside’s second annual 1% Back to Maine Day, on Thursday, May 9th was held across Maine at three different grant recipients, The Ecology School in Saco, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) in Brunswick, and My Place Teen Center in Westbrook. Each location offered Portside agents and staff a chance to tour the facilities and learn more about what each organization does and how they can become involved.

In Brunswick, Portsiders had the opportunity to not only tour MCHPP’s new facility on the Brunswick landing but also participate in a volunteer shift. Those who signed up helped sort produce, deli meats, bakery items, and dry goods that will be distributed throughout MCHPP’s network of local food pantries, and programs. Learn more about MCHPP here.

To get involved and become an MCHPP volunteer fill out an application here.

In Westbrook, at My Place Teen Center, Portsiders visited their facility and listened to a panel discussion featuring Donna Dwyer (My Place Teen Center) and Libby Catania of Our Place, another 1% Back to ME grant recipient. The panel spoke about the challenges youth in Maine face and the work both organizations are doing to help elevate those challenges. 

To learn more about My Place Teen Center visit their website
To learn more about Our Place visit their website

In Saco at the Ecology School, they also hosted a panel featuring three 1% Back to ME grant recipients in the York County region. The panel included Nicole DaRose (Thrive), Nicole Lemay (Youth LED Justice), and Todd Dupont (White Pine Programs). Each organization covered upcoming initiatives, resources on how to help nonprofits, and how to become involved in meaningful ways with organizations like theirs.

To learn more about these organizations visit:
Ecology School
Thrive
Youth LED Justice
White Pine Programs 

Portside strives to give back to the Maine and New Hampshire communities by donating 1% of top-line revenue to support local nonprofits. Nonprofits interested in learning more about the application process should visit Maine Community Foundation.