As the Year Closes
One thing that stands out to me every Christmas day is the empty parking lots. I had to go deliver some food to a family and went past Safeway. The parking lot was empty, which made me feel warm inside. It was a reminder to me of people spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. It was a reminder of all the individuals and businesses that come to volunteer at the pantry to support the families in our community who need a little extra encouragement.
Stories like Victor’s, an elderly Ukrainian man who, due to a freak accident, suffered the loss of having his house burn down a few weeks ago. Victor and his wife started coming to the pantry several years ago. Soon after, he asked if he could start volunteering. Victor is in his 80’s, he works hard, fast and is usually at the pantry several times a week helping, encouraging and offering to comfort many of the Russian and Ukrainian families that come to the pantry. Like some of you, Victor experienced tragedy this Christmas season.
But like you, he was somehow able to push through and continued to give to those around him.
It was in the low 40’s last Tuesday night at the pantry and people still came out and stood in line, the day after Christmas. Volunteers came and gave out food, the day after Christmas. Stores called and gave us extra food donations, the day after Christmas. It was like Christmas went on for just one more day this year.
As we move into 2024, I would like to invite you to be a part of our 2024 “Share The Love Gala”. It happens this year on February 10th at the beautiful Gray Gables Estates. As many of you know we have outgrown our current facilities at the church. We are on track to serve over 80,000 people this year. We have three service lines at the pantry: the walk-up, drive-up, as well as our delivery program. All three programs have experienced growth this year. Our online ordering has seen over 88.96% growth.
In addition, our partnerships continue to expand.
We are going into our second year of serving the families at the Providence Gateway Family Clinic through our on-site pantry. We are going into our third year of partnering with Store2Door helping them to support homebound individuals in our community. We are going into our fifth year partnership with Portland Central Nazarene Church providing the food needed for the houseless individual Agape Village. We have begun partnering weekly with PDX Saints to support the recent work they have begun at a low-income apartment complex in Southeast Portland.
This is all in addition to the new cooking classes we will begin early 2024 in partnership, with the Providence Kitchen, to instruct and work alongside of our ethnically diverse community members on nutritious and healthy cooking.
Your support for this year’s gala will boost our ability to begin working with professionals who can direct our needed expansion. We would love to have you or someone you may know to be a sponsor of our gala. Attached you will find the sponsorship packages. You can click the button below and it will take you to the 2024 gala site. There you can buy tickets and learn more.
Thanks again for a great 2023 through your giving so many families are filled with hope for 2024. It was one of the best gifts you gave many families this year.
Warmest regards,
Betty Brown
Executive Director
POBC Pantry
