Welcome to Mainspring.
A 100% Community-Funded Food & Clothing Pantry, Serving Portland with Compassion Since 1967.

Nonprofit Tax ID 93-0638179

Officially known as Fish Emergency Services, DBA as Mainspring. We have proudly served the Portland community since 1967. We provide equitable, low barrier access to food, clothing, hygiene items, and supportive resources for individuals and families facing hardship.

Small Pantry. Big Impact.

• Over 1,028,683 pounds of food distributed last year alone
• Over 35,286 pounds of clothing distributed
• More than 100,658 individuals served throughout our community
• Providing food, clothing, hygiene support, transit assistance, and resource navigation

More than a pantry, Mainspring is a place of compassion, dignity, and community.

Walk In With Need. Walk Out With Support.

Important Donation Update

A Quick Donation Update

Mainspring is preparing for our annual inventory and currently has an overabundance of baby and children’s clothing, toys, and other children’s items.

We are temporarily pausing some donations while our team sorts, organizes, inventories, and distributes the items already in our care.

Select a section below for more information.

Temporary Donation Pause

Until further notice, Mainspring is temporarily unable to accept:

  • Baby or children’s clothing
  • Toys, games, or stuffed animals
  • Baby equipment or accessories not listed below
  • Other baby or children’s items

This temporary pause will give our team and volunteers time to sort, organize, inventory, and distribute the items already in our care. It also preserves our limited space for other items our neighbors currently need.

Items We Will Continue Accepting
  • Strollers
  • Diapers and pull-ups
  • Baby wipes
  • Unopened, unexpired formula
  • New or gently used baby bottles
Do Not Leave Donations Outside

Any food, clothing, or other donations left outside the building, delivered outside established donation hours, or left without prior arrangements with a Mainspring staff member will be discarded.

Once donations have been left unattended, we cannot confirm whether they have been exposed to moisture, pests, bodily fluids, drug residue, hazardous substances, or other contamination.

For the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff, unattended donations cannot be brought into the facility or distributed to the community.

If you cannot come during donation hours, please make arrangements directly with a Mainspring staff member before leaving your donation.

Mainspring Donation Hours Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Northwest Children’s Outreach

Accepts new or like-new children’s and teen clothing, baby supplies, books, complete toys and games, clean stuffed animals, strollers, high chairs, baby swings, and other approved items.

Portland Center:
335 NE 18th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232

Phone:
503-828-1472

Donation hours:
Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 6:30–8:00 p.m.
First Saturday of each month: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Donations must be brought during open hours. Please check for seasonal or holiday closures before visiting.

View Guidelines and Hours
Mother & Child Education Center

May accept clean, new or gently used baby and toddler clothing, toys, books, strollers, valid car seats, diapers, formula, and other family supplies.

Appointment required: Donations are generally limited to no more than three grocery-sized bags. Call first to confirm that your specific items can be accepted.

Address:
1515 NE 41st Avenue
Portland, OR 97232

Phone:
503-249-5801

Donation hours:
Monday–Friday, by appointment only

View Donation Information
SnowCap Community Services

SnowCap accepts a variety of food, clothing, and household donations. Current needs and restrictions can change, so please call or check the website before visiting.

Donation entrance:
17788 SE Pine Street
Portland, OR 97233

Phone:
503-674-8785

Donation hours:
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Please use the Pine Street entrance when dropping off donations.

View Donation Information
Bethlehem Children’s Clothing Closet

Located at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

The closet accepts a wider variety of clean children’s clothing and supplies for children under age 18.

Items especially needed:

  • Pull-ups
  • Children’s clothing in sizes newborn–3T
  • Children’s clothing in sizes 7–10
  • Strollers
  • Car seats
Currently unable to accept: Diapers, cribs, or beds. All donations must be clean and free of stains, holes, and tears.

Address:
5415 SE Powell Boulevard
Portland, OR 97206

Phone:
503-777-1443

Donation hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Enter through the double doors near the parking lot behind the church. Access the parking lot from SE 54th or SE 55th Avenue.

View Clothing Closet Guidelines