August 2021 • Finding Community
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Finding Community in Unexpected Places
Shelly is a 49-year-old female that held an executive position for over 14 years in one of the biggest health care companies in our nation. She was successful in a very competitive and demanding job. Then (without any warning) one winter morning everything changed. A sudden neurological condition left her unable to walk, talk or control any of her body movements. She was hospitalized for five weeks and began the process of learning how to walk again. When she was sent home, her two adult sons dropped out of college to come home and help take care of her. Shelly’s youngest child had to be given to a relative because she was unable to care for her.
The entire next year was grueling.
Her entire body would freeze up suddenly, and she found herself bed-bound or chair bound for days at a time. Six months after her diagnosis, Shelly began coming to the pantry. The new reality she found there helped her see how little she had paid attention to people who are homeless or able to make it only by utilizing pantry services. Scared and feeling somewhat humiliated, she and one of her adult sons entered our pantry. She used a cane to walk while holding onto her son. Like everyone else she was warmly embraced, and she told us some of her story that day. Being able to come to the pantry helped diminish the mounting fear she was experiencing of possibly having to live in her car.
The pantry not only provided her with food during one of the most challenging times of her life, but it began to help her connect to an entirely new community of individuals. As she grew stronger physically, she began to volunteer and continues to volunteer up to this very day. This all took place over two years.
Your continued contributions to POBC Pantry help us be there for people like Shelly when they need help the most. We often think of disabled individuals as people who were born with a disability. Yet often, individuals find themselves suddenly disabled from things like motor vehicle accidents and health issues that arise later in life.
Due to our commitment to care for every one of our neighbors, POBC Pantry and Oregon Food Bank have partnered together and begun to deliver food to the disabled and elderly in our community.
When the pandemic struck, many individuals who were disabled began to phone the Oregon Food Bank for help. They were not able to go out and stand in line to get a food box. Alongside them, many of the housebound elderly in our community found themselves needing food resources as well. One of our volunteers suggested we expand the services we were providing at the pantry to include this demographic of individuals. Now, every week, with the support of Oregon Food Bank navigators, families can go online and order the food they need from our online food pantry. Those made-to-order food boxes are delivered weekly. We are excited for this new way to help support those in our community.
With the addition of these and other individuals, the need for food continues to increase. We are thankful for all of you who have donated to our pantry and would like to invite those who have not yet donated (or maybe it’s been a while since you donated) to join us this season.
As we head into the fall and winter months, it’s been a pattern that we experience growth in the number of individuals utilizing the pantry. Last month we served well over 4,000 individuals.
Your ongoing support is the only way we can meet the needs we’re presented with every week. Today, please consider becoming a monthly partner helping us remove food insecurity for hundreds of families living in Portland. From the pandemic, to wild fires and unemployment, our families are facing unprecedented challenges. Your financial support helps keep those in your community from having to go to bed hungry another night.
Your continued support to our pantry has enabled us to make a significant difference in the lives of so many people. Your faithful willingness to contribute to this pantry has positively impacted lives, and we want to thank you for that. Below you will find a link to donate. Thanks again for your support.
