ABOVE Guiding a tour of the construction site that will become Mainspring, Megan Shapiro Ross, executive director of Mainspring partner Footprints Food Pantry, compared her vision of a service hub to a community fire station “where everyone has access when you need it, with no stigma attached.”

The dynamic Mainspring project in Kittery will combat poverty by offering support for housing, medical and mental health care, nutrition, clothing, employment, legal work, and more under one roof.

A variety of programs and services and supplies, including case management, General Assistance, WIC, health insurance navigation, prescription assistance, medical exams, adult education classes, groceries, a thrift store, workforce training, healthy cooking classes, and community suppers will be offered inside brand-new permanent space. Food lockers and a community garden will be outside, and efforts are underway to feature a bus stop at the campus.

Spearheaded by Emily Flinkstrom, executive director of the Fair Tide housing organization, and Megan Shapiro Ross, executive director of Footprints Food Pantry, the collaborative Mainspring initiative has raised more than $5.5 million. While successful fundraising continues, a Genesis loan helped get construction underway for this urgently needed project.

“Our model means that rather than having to tell their story over and over, an individual who’s seeking assistance can come to one point of entry and have access to all services,” says Ross. For providers, being in one place will make it easier to coordinate support, while operating independently.

In addition to Fair Tide and Footprints, many other community partners will be part of Mainspring, including York County Community Action, MaineHealth, Triangle Club, Volunteers of America, Table of Plenty, Good Shepherd Food Bank, and Pine Tree Legal Assistance.