Portland still seeing steady influx of asylum seekers at the Expo

PORTLAND (WGME) -- The city of Portland says donations to help asylum seekers staying at the Expo have now topped $500,000.

Right now, there are currently 228 people at the emergency shelter.

That's about 50-60 families.

The total intake, since June 9, is 324, meaning almost 100 people have already moved on to other locations.

The city of Portland says they're still seeing a steady influx of asylum seekers arriving at the Expo daily, and while this is still far from a permanent home for many of them, the volunteers inside hope to make it feel like one.

"It's not ideal, living in a big room like this, but I think that the organizers, the city and volunteers are trying to make it the best situation they can," translator Myra Bresnahan said.

While the number of people living at the Expo continues to fluctuate, volunteers have steadily increased.

"I work with immigrant families, so when I heard there was a need, I signed up," volunteer Mary Wheeler said.

Wheeler is a South Portland school teacher.

"They just need to be welcomed, and I know not everyone is always welcoming to immigrants, and I just wanted to be one of the ones who was here for them," Wheeler said.

So far, more than $500,000 has been raised to help these families, including $40,000 from Stephen and Tabitha King.

Volunteers say that money will go a long way.

"A lot of them come, literally, with only the clothes on their back,” Bresnahan said. “There's a family I met with a 2-month-old, and she didn't even have a carrier or a cloth to wrap her child up in."

While it's still unknown how long the city will house these asylum seekers, there seems to be no shortage of people willing to lend a hand.

"I hope that we can all step up and give aid and move beyond thinking that it’s either-or, we have to help the homeless, or help the homeless or veterans, because we should be helping everyone who needs help," Wheeler said.

The city says they're still waiting to hear back from the governor's office on how the state may help with funding. The city council won't discuss allocating money until their next meeting July 15.