BANGOR — An annual mobile event to support homeless veterans kicked off by rolling through Bangor Wednesday.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services Stand Down provides housing resources, benefits assistance, supplies, winter clothing and more to veterans experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Recent data from MaineHousing’s 2025 Point in Time Count indicates that around 127 Maine veterans are currently unhoused. There are around 2,400 people in Maine experiencing homelessness.

However, according to the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, the number of unhoused veterans in Maine is constantly changing. 

“That’s part of the problem, identifying those veterans who are in need of service,” said Ryan Lorrain, spokesperson for the Maine Bureau of Veteran’s Services. “We are aware of roughly 120, 140. But that’s constantly a moving number, and we want to make sure we’re identifying them.”

And that’s why it’s important to bring resources directly to them, Lorrain added.

“We know that winter is coming,” said Lorrain. “Folks are certainly going to need a roof over their heads. That’s a big, important issue, and we like to be in the community where they’re at. So, a part of our outreach effort is to be where the veterans are on a regular basis.”

Lorrain added that the annual event is in addition to the work that’s done year-round. 

Over the next few weeks, the pop-up event will make its way through Lewiston, Portland and Augusta.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 105,658 veterans in Maine.

Veterans in need can visit maine.gov/veterans, email HVC.MaineBVS@maine.gov, or call (207) 287-7019.