Giving What Matters - Gift an Item from Our Wish List

Every day, Healthy Acadia helps with important health needs and responds to new health challenges in Maine’s Hancock and Washington counties and beyond. We offer a wide variety of free programs and services that promote good health and help people stay well. By working together with community partners, we focus on preventing disease, encouraging healthy habits, and helping communities make lasting, positive changes.

There are so many ways you can contribute to the health of our communities in partnership with Healthy Acadia!

A meaningful way to give to Healthy Acadia is by gifting an item from our Wishlist. When you give an item, it immediately fills a need in our community. Many of our program areas can greatly benefit from donations of specific items to continue and improve available services. Items are accepted in new or like-new condition - pre-loved is fine! - unless specifically indicated. 

***We currently have an urgent need for new and lightly used men's clothing - sizes S, M, L, and XL, men's and women’s shoes, as well as new men's and women's socks and undergarments in Washington County.*** 

Clothing donations can be dropped off at our Machias office located at 121 Court Street or at the Downeast Recovery Support Center in Machias located at 11 Free Street.

Are you in Hancock County and want to contribute? We are grateful! Contact us at development@healthyacadia.org to coordinate.

Downeast Gleaning Initiative

Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Gleaning Initiative helps to reduce food insecurity by coordinating farm-based gleaning opportunities throughout Hancock and Washington counties. We connect volunteers with farms, orchards, farmers’ markets, and community gardens to collect surplus fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. We then manage the distribution of fresh produce to food pantries, community meal sites, rehabilitation programs, school backpack programs, and other community organizations. 

Waterproof apron for washing crates and produce. Example

Downeast Restorative Harvest

  • Shaded seating area stuff (chairs, benches, stuff with umbrellas)

  • Outdoor table(s) (for meals, meetings, and workstations)

  • Large, sturdy wash tubs or basins

  • Sand box toys and accoutrements

  • Solar-powered lighting

  • Wheelbarrows and carts

  • Hose reels & high-quality hoses

  • Little Free Library or seed swap box

  • Swing Set

INSPIRE Recovery Community Center (Ellsworth)

New and unopened:

  • Top Priority Items

    • Deodorant (men’s and women’s – stick or spray)

    • Toothbrushes (individually packaged)

    • Toothpaste (travel and full size)

  • Additional Personal Hygiene Needs

    • Mouthwash (alcohol-free preferred)

    • Dental floss

    • Wet wipes / body wipes

    • Hand sanitizer

    • Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons, feminine wipes)

    • Disposable razors (men’s and women’s)

    • Shaving cream or gel

    • Lotion / moisturizer

    • Lip balm

    • Nail clippers

    • Hairbrushes and combs

    • Q-tips / cotton swabs

  • Undergarments:

    • Women’s sports bras/bras and panties - all sizes

    • Men’s boxers/briefs - all sizes

  • Women’s and men's socks - all sizes

Recovery Backpack Program

Healthy Acadia’s Recovery Backpack Program provides basic essentials to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and working with Healthy Acadia's Recovery coaches in Hancock and Washington counties. Backpack recipients include recoverees who are facing homelessness or have had to leave a situation in an urgent manner, and individuals that are just being released from jail who often have only the clothes they were wearing at the time of incarceration.

Each backpack includes basic toiletries, personal hygiene items, new undergarments and socks, a pair of pants, a shirt, a pair of boots, and a coat. 

Your gift of one or more items listed below will support someone on their recovery journey. Thank you.

New, like new, or gently used (without holes or stains):

  • Backpacks 

  • Men's shirts and pants. Sizes S, M, L, XL  

  • Hats 

  • Gloves

  • Blankets

  • Tents

  • Tarps

  • Sleeping bags

  • Rain ponchos

New and unopened:

  • Undergarments:

    • Women’s sports bras/bras and panties - all sizes

    • Men’s boxers/briefs - all sizes

  • Women’s and men's socks 

  • Hygiene Kits, Toiletries and Personal Care Items:

    • Shampoo and conditioner  

    • Toothbrushes

    • Toothpaste

    • Dental Floss

    • Mouthwash

    • Denture care items 

    • Women’s and men’s razors, shaving cream 

      • Only small shaving creams, please. Men’s razors should have more than a single blade.

    • Soap and body wash 

    • Deodorant 

    • Hair brushes and combs 

    • Fingernail clippers / emery boards 

    • Hair scrunchies 

  • Sample size laundry detergent 

  • Hand warmers 

Safe Harbor Recovery Home for Women and Children

Safe Harbor Recovery Home for Women and Children is the only certified recovery residence in Washington County and serves women from across the region. The house provides wraparound support for women in all stages of recovery, and is one of the only houses in Maine where mothers can live together with their children.

The Safe Harbor team has identified the following wishlist items: 

  • Mittens and gloves

  • Winter hats

  • Scarves

  • Laundry detergent

  • New bath towels

  • Personal care items

  • Household cleaning products

  • Toilet paper

  • Paper towels

To donate an item from our wish list, please contact Shoshona at Development@HealthyAcadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210. For more ways to give, click here.

POSTTracey Carlsonways to give, donate, be a part, wish list items, community needs, WTG, donations, backpack donations