In this month’s Community Corner round-up, we’re highlighting exceptional organizations and community resources: the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, Portland Free Pantry, Portland Kids Duathlon and Rubbish Portland. These organizations offer unique ways for individuals to get involved and make a positive impact in the Portland community. Delve into the work of these organizations, exploring their missions, initiatives, and the impact they have on the city!
Here is our July Community Corner. Ways to give back this month locally including fundraisers, donations, and volunteer work.
We’re always looking for a lead! If you have a fundraiser, volunteer sign-up, or cause you’d like us to know about, email us at [email protected]
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Volunteer – Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine
Photo: Jewish Community Alliance (@jcamaine)
The Jewish Community Alliance (JCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Jewish community of Southern Maine. It fulfills its mission by providing educational and social programming, as well as fundraising efforts. The JCA’s goals are to enhance and promote Jewish life locally, in Israel, and worldwide, and to generate financial resources for diverse programs, education, and services that align with these objectives.
The JCA serves as a combined Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Family Services program, making it a comprehensive resource for the entire Southern Maine community. Through the dedication of its staff and the support of its network, the JCA has a significant impact on the community. Serving as a central hub for Jewish programming in Southern Maine, collaborating with various organizations and local congregations to offer a wide range of services and activities.
You can learn more about Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine including their mission and projects online.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Diaper Bank Support: Packaging, Sorting, and Delivering Diapers
- Assist with our HIAS Refugee Resettlement Program
- Organizing donated items in the Essentials Pantry
- Center Day Camp Preparation and Clean Up
- Supporting Community Programs
Sign up to volunteer online.
Unable to volunteer? Make a donation online!
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Donate – Portland Free Pantry
Photo: Portland Free Pantry (@portland.free.pantry)
The Portland Free Pantry is a community-led and community-built initiative based in Portland that provides a space where individuals can receive essential items and also contribute items to support others in need. While the pantry primarily focuses on offering food items, it also includes necessary essentials such as hygiene products, toiletries, over-the-counter medicines, and even clothing and winter gear.
Although many items can be sourced through local organizations, the ultimate goal of the Portland Free Pantry is to rely on community engagement and support to keep the pantry stocked. This means that community members are encouraged to contribute items to the pantry, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and solidarity within the community.
Built on a trailer bed, the mobile pantry will serve different Portland neighborhoods. By partnering with local businesses, organizations, and community members to park in accessible, satellite locations for scheduled time periods, the pantry’s reach extends to individuals and families with limited or no access to public or personal transportation. The self-serve pantry also honors autonomy; community members can access the pantry according to their schedule without an ID or proof of income.
By creating a space where individuals can both give and receive, the Portland Free Pantry aims to promote community building, mutual support, and the well-being of all its members.
You can make a donation online via GoFundMe, via PayPal or via Amazon Wishlist. Folks can also follow Portland Free Pantry on Instagram and donate material items directly to the Pantry at its parked location. (They will be updating the map/dates online and will post a schedule inside as well.)
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Special Events + Fundraisers
1) Portland Kids Duathlon
Back for its 6th year, The Portland Kids Duathlon is Portland’s first multi-sport race for children. The goals for this race are to get kids active and outdoors, inspire families to get fit together, and support our local schools. All profits and sponsorships from this race are donated to the Foundation for Portland Public Schools.
The race gives young people ages 3-12 an opportunity to participate in the fast-growing world of multi-sport racing. The run, bike, run format of a duathlon is fun and approachable, a great race for non-swimmers and triathletes alike. A bike only event for our youngest athletes as well as those with special needs makes the event even more accessible.
All young athletes will finish the race with a smile on their face, a medal around their neck, and a boost of self-confidence and pride. Athletes gets medals, race bibs, t-shirts, and sponsor swag. For virtual participants, race organizers ship everything ahead of the race period so families can create a race experience all their own!
All profits from this race will be donated to the Foundation for Portland Public Schools.
Kids ages 3-12 can participate in person and any age for virtual. There is also an accessible bike only wave for kids 5-12 with special needs. Register.
When: Sunday, July 23rd from 8 AM – 11 AM
Where: Edward Payson Park
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2) Rubbish
Photo: Rubbish! (@rubbish_project)
You are invited to join Rubbish for a community trash clean-up and happy hour event where you can make a difference while enjoying the company of others. The event will also feature a raffle with some amazing prizes from local businesses!
Rubbish is an organization that aims to initiate conversations and encourage engagement around reducing single-use plastic, rethinking waste management, and addressing the issue of marine plastic pollution. They achieve this through community and neighborhood trash clean-up events, which serve as a platform for dialogue and action.
Here are the event details:
- 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM: Sign in at the Rubbish table
- 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Community trash clean-up in the neighborhood (bags, buckets, and grabbers will be provided. Please bring your own gloves and clean-up supplies if you have them!)
- 6:30 PM: Raffle drawing with prizes from local businesses
- 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Happy Hour specials and social time
The event is kid-friendly, planet-friendly, and dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your little ones and furry friends. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Come join Rubbish, make a positive impact on your community, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
When: Wednesday, July 19th from 5 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Aprés, Portland
