Hope Squad Maine hosted a “Love and Gratitude” open house in Portland to inform the public about the group’s mission and the work done by its volunteers.Matt Brown, founder of the nonprofit organization, said Hope Squad Maine started as a simple idea to help people who are homeless.”I thought it was maybe me and one or two other friends in the Prius with a thing of hot chocolate and a bag of socks. I didn’t necessarily see beyond that if this could happen,” Brown said.But Brown wound up purchasing a retired ambulance and he and dozens of volunteers are able to offer tables of food and clothing. “They show you that they care and that you matter and that you’re important,” said Amber Lesperance, a volunteer with Hope Squad Maine. “I was on the streets of Portland for three and a half years, up until February of this recent year. …
