By Amanda Estes

Staff Writer

Fifteen-year-old Samantha Robertson said it takes a “really important
conflict” to keep her from volunteering at the Preble Street Resource
Center in Portland each week.

The South Portland teen began volunteering at Preble Street’s soup
kitchen after joining the Key Club service organization at Catherine
McAuley High School, where she is a sophomore. As she was preparing for
colder weather and taking stock of her winter clothing, Samantha
Robertson said she realized many of the people waiting in line at the
center for a meal didn’t have suitable clothes to keep them warm.

Volunteering at the center has been an “eye-opening experience,” Samantha Robertson said.

 “People would have to go to experience it for themselves to get the full idea,” she said.

Samantha Robertson said she was hurt by what she saw, so she approached
her mother, Renee Robertson, who said, “I bet we could do something.”

Robertson said her first inclination was to have students and their
families clean out their closets during the Thanksgiving recess, but
what was going to be a school event has “kind of taken on a life of its
own,” she said.

And so from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 1, mother, daughter and members of
the Catherine McAuley Key Club are hosting a clothing drive at the high
school parking lot, located at 631 Stevens Avenue in Portland. All
items will be donated to Preble Street.     

Between its Resource Center and Teen Center, Preble Street serves
between 400 and 500 people per day, said Director of Development Elena
Schmidt.

 Founded in 1977, Preble Street helps adults, families and teens
with immediate needs such as food, shelter and clothing while also
offering job training, substance abuse counseling and health care,
according to the center’s Web site.

“We never have nearly enough to meet the need,” said Schmidt. “The only
things we have to give away are the things people share with us.”

While Preble Street is always in need of various clothing items for
everyone from infants to adults, now that winter is coming, the center
is in need of hats, gloves, socks, coats, sweaters and sweatshirts – in
short, Schmidt said, “the kind of things you would need if you were
outside all day long.”

“They’re here every day and they’re asking for those essential things
that we all have and don’t think twice about reaching for a sweatshirt
or a sweater,” Schmidt said.

Renee Robertson said when she drops her daughter off at the center
there is often a line of people sitting outside, waiting for the doors
to open at 8 a.m.

 “I’ve personally noticed they could use blankets, especially when they’re waiting for food,” Samantha Robertson said.

To ensure the drive’s success, Renee Robertson said she is willing to
travel to pick up clothing donations for anyone who is unable to attend
the McAuley event. For more information, please call 899-4425.

For more information about volunteering or making a donation to Preble
Street, call 775-0026 or email development@preblestreet.org.