SACO — On Jan. 14, the public was invited to the Saco Grange 53 hall on North Street to take what they wanted from a selection of donated clothes and other items. The event was so successful that Grange members held another clothing giveaway two weeks later. 

But more than just people in Saco and the surrounding area benefited from Saturday’s event. After it ended, the leftover bags and boxes of clothing, shoes and more were handed over to the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance to pass out to homeless veterans around the state.

Kevin Nicholson of Standish, one of the founders of the Portland-based group that started five years ago, said he was happy to have the items, which he and several Grange members loaded into the nonprofit’s van. After it was full, Nicholson was on his way to Falmouth where the organization has a pod where they store donated goods. Volunteers sort the items and then they are passed along to those who need them.

“Everything goes to veterans,” said Nicholson. “Yesterday, I went to a veteran’s apartment and brought furniture.”

He said that was the 185th veteran that the organization has helped with furnishings.

But it’s more than furnishing and clothing that the alliance can provide, Nicholson said. The group is often the one that serves as an intermediary between veterans and services that can provide the homeless a home.

When he finds a homeless veteran, Nicholson said. “I set them up with the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and they get them into an apartment.” The alliance provides furniture, clothing and other items needed to make a home.

For those they can’t help find or don’t want housing, the alliance helps in other ways, and not it’s not just veterans. 

“When we have an overflow (of donations),” Nicholson said, “we just set up on Oxford Street” in Portland. At those times, anyone homeless or in need can take whatever they want. 

“There’s nothing better than handing out jeans or a jacket to those who need it,” Nicholson said.

Often at these events, he said, he finds a homeless veteran or two that he can connect with the VA. “I get their phone number right there,” he said.

While the organization is based in Portland, Nicholson said he helps homeless veterans all over the state. He said he’s helped a number of people set up apartments in Biddeford.

Dawn Tarbox, community service director for the Saco Grange, said she was pleased the group could help the Homeless Veterans Alliance.

The Grange giveaway on Saturday was very successful, she said. “We had so many people. We probably give away more this time than last.”

She said the group wanted to pass the leftover items to a group that would give them away like they did. “We have people who donate who ask us not to sell them.”

“We’re blessed enough to pass them off to the Homeless Veterans Alliance,” Tarbox said.

— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324, or dmendros@journaltribune.com.