Leona Pickens prepares the pantry for visitors at the Irving Street Food Pantry.
FALL 2013
an Interfaith Community of Volunteers 2701 NW Vaughn St, Suite 102 • Portland, OR • 97210 (503) 221-1224 • www.LiftUbranPortland.org
In This Issue: Volunteer feature........Cover Wellness............................. 2 Community........................ 3 Food programs................... 4 New faces........................... 5 Donors & tributes............6-7
As the new Communications & Events Coordinator, I am honored to share our stories. With so many facets of Lift Urban Portland to explore, my learning has just begun. Join me in a series of discoveries about who we are and how it all works together. - Stephen Alexander, Newsletter Editor
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Learning from Leona
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Lift Urban Portland 101
t’s easy to find our food pantry, at the First Immanuel Lutheran Church on NW 18th and Irving. It’s not as easy to pin down Leona Pickens.
It’s Thursday afternoon. I arrive early. I see quickly that I will have to wait.
“Apricot butter—on the shelf in the closet,” she gestures to a team volunteer. “Is this all the bread for tomorrow?” The whole time, she checks inventory sheets with another team member. “Oh, hello Stephen. I’ll be with you soon. The food comes first.”
eona joined Lift Urban Portland’s pantry crew in 2011. She found out about the pantry from a fellow resident at the Northwest Tower, one of our Adopt-a-Highrise properties. The timing couldn’t have been better, having been “forced into retirement” by a local transitional housing firm.
Leona begins to describe her work at the Golden West group home, when a cadre of young men enter the pantry. “Hold that thought,” and she’s off into action again. These are Central City Concern volunteers, continued on page 5
Lift Urban Portland
wellness A
s you read this newsletter, new participants in our Wellness program are completing initial surveys. Two years from now, we will offer a second survey, helping Lift Urban Portland gauge changes in health and wellness as a result of our growing list of classes.
Upcoming classes & teaching opportunities
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e are currently seeking instructors for a few classes that will be presented at our Adopt-a-Highrise locations. New teachers are welcome, as we will provide certified training. Classes meet one to three times per week.
Walk With Ease
Volunteers receive online training, then pair up to lead walking groups.
A Matter of Balance
Fall prevention and physical activity promotion. Volunteers train with a certified Master Trainer, then lead classes with residents.
Legacy-partnered classes
T
he clinical staff at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center partners with Lift Urban Portland in an ongoing series of classes. Seminars are held each Thursday at 11:30 am, at our several Adopt-a-Highrise locales.
NOVEMBER
Preserving Balance & Core Strength
DECEMBER
Stress Management
Do you have any other passions? Cooking, yoga, nutrition? How about a good old-fashioned Home Economics class for the elderly or homebound? Contact Program Director Bethany Wofford bethany@LiftUrbanPortland.org
Cooking and nutrition are some of the topics offered through Lift Urban Portland’s Wellness program.
LEGACY GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER
is one of our major community partners and supporters. At its Northwest neighborhood facility, Legacy supports a range of groups that are building a healthier community, and assists us with training options for our Wellness program. Many thanks, Legacy!
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Fall 2013
One day, many hands
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Volunteers from Puppet Labs, a Northwest Portland software company
ike’s recent expansion of its Beaverton campus left its garden plots in need of a new home. Lift Urban Portland was the grateful recipient of these garden beds, wintering plants, and soil.
On October 16, employees from Puppet Labs joined our Garden Coordinator Tiffany Schuster in disassembling and transporting these materials to our various garden locations, including First Immanuel Lutheran Church. The students of St. Mary’s Academy continue their history of service with Lift Urban Portland.
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eanwhile, volunteers from St. Mary’s Academy gathered that morning to harvest the gardens at the Salvation Army’s White Shield Center. In the afternoon, both sets of volunteers met, as Puppet Labs brought the Nike gardens to White Shield and laid the groundwork for more urban gardens. Like our many community gardens, these new beds will help us to continue to offer fresh produce to food pantry patrons. The girls of St. Mary’s Academy also helped in our warehouse, where they organized, stocked and cleaned our store of pantry and backpack foods. Our thanks to all our volunteers on this wonderful work day!
The Next Time You Shop, Consider Whole Foods in the Pearl!
Due to its program’s success, Whole Foods Market has extended its bag refund donation program with Lift Urban Portland, through January 19, 2014.
Bring your own grocery bag when you shop at Whole Foods in the Pearl District: 1210 NW Couch Street. Your 10-cent bag refund goes directly to Lift Urban Portland, assisting with food, wellness and living options for Northwest and Downtown Portland community members.
Since September, this program at Whole Foods has raised more than $650 for Lift Urban Portland's programs!
THANK YOU, WHOLE FOODS!
Calling all Gold Award or Eagle Scout Project Seekers! Lift Urban Portland has a garden full of fresh produce for our food security programs. Missing from our garden is a tool shed to house our garden implements! This is a great project for anyone that needs to do a major community service project. Please share this request with any troop or group you think might be interested in this project. Contact Bethany Wofford, Program Director Bethany@LiftUrbanPortland.org (503) 221-1224, ext. 105
community 3
Lift Urban Portland
food program
Backpacks Abound!
Food Drives Fill Our Shelves
Thank you to faith communities with ongoing food drives: • • • •
First Immanuel Lutheran Church Congregation Beth Israel Havurah Shalom Zion Lutheran Church.
• • • • • •
Kaiser Permanente – August Selco at Forest Park Credit Union – Fall ESCO – November Ellington – November NINA – December Hanu Pilates – ongoing
And thanks to our community partners, holding food drives at various times this season:
Zombie Squad members Tifni Richards & Gabriel Martin help our community fight the “monsters” of need & hunger.
Garden Party Update
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Our 2013 fundraiser brings in $57,000
ift Urban Portland is proud to announce the creation of the Eve & Alan Rosenfeld Food Fund. A generous donation from the Social Action Committee of Congregation Beth Israel kicked off the fund at our Garden Party fundraiser, held on August 27 at the World Forestry Center. Eve and Alan have been active with Lift Urban Portland throughout its 34 years of service. We are proud to celebrate the Rosenfelds’ legacy of giving and dedication with this new permanent fund.
Wen-Ying Wu & Brian Wilson of Kaiser Permanente’s national payroll office. Their company picnic, with an admission fee of a backpack or non-perishable foods, brought in 197 lbs of food, 32 backpacks, and $210 in donations.
Hot off the press... Our Annual Report is now available online. Visit our website to find it, or stop by our office for a printed version. In the next few weeks, you will receive our Annual Appeal letter in the mail. We are grateful for all who make Lift Urban Portland a part of their year-end plans.
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Lacey Patton (right) of Pediatric Associates of the Northwest delivers backpacks and a donation check to Executive Director Delanie Delimont.
Fall 2013
Learning from Leona continued from cover page already moving boxes that come from our warehouse, from a van into the pantry.
Leona or another team leader needs to be at the pantry several times a week. Urban Gleaners delivers their excess food early Thursday mornings, and food from our warehouse arrives in the afternoon. Friday is Trader Joe’s delivery day, and other drop-offs happen during the week from community partners such as Safeway or Franz Bakery.
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s Leona rejoins me, I realize that this one-onone interview has suddenly grown. Leona’s co-workers —Twila, Phil and Rich — join the chat. They bring experience from the Oregon Food Bank, Meals on Wheels People, and other service programs.
“We have a hard time finding food ourselves,” says Twila. “Many of these people just can’t feed themselves on food stamps alone.”
“It makes it worthwhile when you hear people say ‘God bless you,’ ” “What makes this a place you return to week after week?” I ask.
“Definitely the people,” say Leona. “It makes it worthwhile when you hear people say ‘God bless you’ or ‘I’m so happy you’re here.’ “ Leona gives an example from two days ago. A lady came to the pantry for the first time. She was a mother
with five children. To help get her started, Leona added extra food to her supplies. The new customer teared up with joy. “We were happy too, but we don’t have time to cry,” says Leona. “There’s too much to do!”
Just then, a woman enters the pantry. “I know you’re not open until tomorrow, but I’m not going to be in town. Any way you can help me out today?”
Leona grabs her clipboard. The volunteers go into action. I realize my interview is done. As Leona would say, “The food comes first.”
New Faces at Lift Urban Portland
Michelle Welton
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W
hen Program Director Bethany Wofford joined our staff, she knew the perfect person to join her in the volunteer program: Michelle Welton. “There are few people I would immediately offer to come help,” says Michelle, former Volunteer Coordinator at Impact Northwest. “Bethany is one of them.”
Michelle assists Bethany with the coordination of volunteer job assignments, policies and procedures. You will find Michele at the office or at our warehouse, food pantry or other service locales.
mily Crowe, a junior at University of Portland, is our new Wellness intern. A Marketing major with minors in Spanish and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, Emily has volunteered with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Blackfeet Reservation.
Emily Crowe
Emily will conduct community outreach and surveys for our the Adopt-a-Highrise program. She has already become a strong part of our Wellness Program, posting fliers for our November flu shot clinics.
Z
oe Lichty is our Food Security intern, working with our food programs. A junior and a Nursing major, Zoe has worked as a caregiver in an Alzheimer’s special care unit, and volunteered with a children’s hospital.
Zoe Lichty
Zoe helps in our food pantry, focusing on improvement of the order and delivery system with the Oregon Food Bank. She will also work to increase nutrition education in the Food Pantry and Food for Kids Backpack programs, and to expand our urban gleaning efforts.
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Lift Urban Portland
Donors: July 1 - September 30, 2013 Jay & Suzanne Albert Roz & Jeffrey Babenzer David & Carol Baker John Baker Barbara Ballweber Bryce Barker Carole Barkley & David Loftus Terese Barkley & Darrol Olson Lynne Bartenstein & Dan Heims Stuart & Jacqueline Barthold Blaine Bartholomew Lewis & Shari Beatty Catherine I. Bekooy Alan & Deborah Bell Les & Ellen Bick Gerel Blauer Karen Blauer Stephen Bloom Blush Beauty Bar Gwyneth Gamble Booth Jennifer Bragar Sharon & Steve Brenner Barbara Briody Becky Brown Constance Cambreleng Barbara & Barry Caplan Jerome & Wilma Caplan Jacqueline Chandler Sam Chase Carol & Sy Chestler Beverly Christman Gerald Cogan Ilaine Cohen David Cohen Gina Cole Congregation Beth Israel Cy & Martha Cook Emily Cooper Jake Coppola Barbara & Rob Crooke Gustavo J. Cruz, Jr. Jim & Kathleen Dahlman Carol Danish
Arthur & Winnifred Danner James & Ilene Davidson David & Susan Decker Delanie Delimont Poramek (Mac) Dengsot Bill & Brenda Derville Chuck Diamond Lillian DiGiacomo Nikki & Stuart Director Mark Dorhmann & Julie Durkheimer Aaron & David Douglas Stacey Dycus Elephant’s Delicatessen Heather & Jeff Elliott Genevieve Ellis Cindy Evans James Faville Rupert Fixott, DMD Brian & Kathy Fleener Lisa Frank Charles Frasier Janet Friedman Suzanne Gallagher Janet Gallagher Richard & Sue Garber Arlene Garrison Donn & Jan Gassaway Lesley & Bob Glasgow Susan Golden Jennifer Goldsmith Steve Greenwood Bonny Groshong Wendy Guttmann & Jeff Menashe Meryl & Gordon Haber Dianna Hanken-Hu Janet Hansen-Tracy Margaret Hasson Hal Hendrix & Terri Warren Mary Ellen Higgins Matthew Warren Holloway Dave & Judy Hooff Olivia Horgan
Cal & Sally Horn Dr. Marjorie J Hrbek Pam Huff Ruth & Frank Huglin Lisa James Fred Jeibmann Jesuit High School Alumni Ellin & Fletcher Johnson Weston & Sarah Johnson Rabbi Rachel Joseph Sharon & John Joyce Kristine Jurgenson Jan & James Kasameyer Trudy Kayser Christopher King Lyle King Gilbert & Jennifer Klemann David & Jennifer Director Knudsen Susan Korey & Merritt Linn Joan Kruse Sandy Kurth Karen Labinger Barbara & Stuart Lang Craig & Linda Langley Gary Larsen & Barbara Durkheimer Donna Larson Meg Larson & Dick Lewis Juliana Laurenzo Hoeman Lew Lydia & Derek Lipman Joyce & Stanley Loeb Richard & Diane Lowensohn Bob Lustberg Nancy & Jack MacDonald Carey & Dan MacNaughton Ruth Marquis Louise & Richard Marsh Caryn May Liz & Ruben Menashe Roz & Sol Menashe Toinette & Vic Menashe Alice & Paul Meyer
Charitable Giving Through Your IRA Congress passed legislation to extend the IRA Charitable Rollover for 2013. If you are age 70½ or older, you are eligible to transfer up to $100,000 tax-free from your IRA directly to a qualified charity. This amount will count against your required minimum distribution. We invite you to consider Lift Urban Portland to be that charity. Our tax ID is 93-0923775. Please contact Delanie Delimont, Lift Urban Portland’s Executive Director, for more information about tax deductible donations.
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Lora & Jim Meyer Alan & Lana Miller Barney & Susan Milstein Theodore & Kerri-Lynn Morris Robert & Jane Morrow Gail Nakata, DMD Robert & Carolyn Neighbor Jillian Nelson David & Marjorie Newman Jeanne Newmark Fr. Steve & Sandy Norcross Frank & Bonnie Nusser Linda Ostomel Andrea Overbeck Raymond & Dorothy Packouz Thomas Palmer & Ann Carter The Parish of St. Mark Sylvia & Gary Pearlman Carol Powelson Brooke, Gabe, & Aaron Preston Larry Price & Martha Lussenhop Barbara Prigohzy Abby Director Quinn Shirley & Alvin Rackner William & Dottie Rector Dan Reisberg & Friderike Heuer Janet & Larry Richards Cheryl & Dave Richardson Julie Richardson Mary & Peter Roberts Laurie & Bert Rogoway Alan & Eve Rosenfeld Elise Rosenfeld Janis Shliefer Rosenfeld Rosmarie Rosenfeld Sally Rosenfeld & Andrew Frank Rose Rustin Bunny & Jerry Sadis Loree & Ken Sakai Peter Sargent Barb & Jack Schwartz Patricia & Julius Scoggins Seams to Fit SELCO Community Credit Union Jinny Shipman Desi Shubin Joseph & Stacey Strade Squires Ellen & Charles Stearns Bruce Strade Naomi Strauss Sharon Tarlow Betty Trudeau Ed & Joyce Tyler Tony & Bianca Urdes US Bank Kay Van Patten Carolyn Vanderslice
Fall 2013
Tributes & Celebrations Linda & Larry Veltman Larry & Dorie Vollum Pastor Melinda Wagner Norman & Suzan Wapnick Carolyn & Gary Weinstein Elaine & Sandy Weinstein Joella Werlin Kay & Ken Wolfe Richard L. Young Janet & Alan Zell Tracy Zitzelberger
Thank you to the people and organizations that contributed to Lift Urban Portland during our last fiscal quarter. Our list of in-kind gifts is listed on our website, www.LiftUrbanPortland.org. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of these lists. If you see an error, please contact us at (503) 221-1224.
Turn your vehicle into community support When you donate your used vehicle to Lift Urban Portland, we transform the proceeds into things such as food, backpacks, wellness materials, and other items to help our neighborhood members thrive.
In celebration of our 53rd Wedding Anniversary Stan & Joyce Loeb
In honor of Stephen Alexander Aaron & David Douglas In honor of Carole Barkley Aaron & David Douglas In honor of Gwyneth Gamble Booth Stephen Bloom In honor of Sam Chase Jacqueline Chandler In honor of Rick Christman Beverly Christman In honor of Talia Rose Cohen on her first birthday Jennifer Bragar David Cohen Emily Cooper Olivia Horgan Christopher King Lyle King Juliana Laurenzo Jillian Nelson Brooke, Gabe, & Aaron Preston In honor of Nikki Director Mark Dohrmann & Julie Durkheimer Aaron & David Douglas David & Jennifer Director Knudsen Abby Director Quinn In honor of God Pastor Melinda Wagner In honor of Alan Goldsmith Jennifer Goldsmith
In honor of Sally Rosenfeld & Andy Frank Alan & Eve Rosenfeld
In honor of Preston Holt Robert & Carolyn Neighbor In honor of Joyce Loeb Lisa James Alan & Lana Miller
In memory of Laura Bolliger Nikki & Stuart Director Elaine & Sandy Weinstein
In honor of Stan & Joyce Loeb Donna Larson
In memory of Brian Booth EllIn & Fletcher Johnson Thomas Palmer & Ann Carter Mary & Peter Roberts
In honor of Emma May Caryn May In honor of Lora & Jim Meyer Elaine & Sandy Weinstein
Volunteers of America serves as our vehicle donation partner. The process is fast and free. Contact Darr Durham at Lift Urban Portland, (503) 221-1224, and she will guide the way with great donation ideas.
In honor of Alan & Eve Rosenfeld Jay & Suzanne Albert Roz & Jeffrey Babenzer David & Carol Baker Karen Blauer Jerome & Wilma Caplan Carol & Sy Chestler Congregation Beth Israel Carol Danish Mark Dohrmann & Julie Durkheimer Heather & Jeff Elliott Lisa Frank Meryl & Gordon Haber Marilyn Hasson Rabbi Rachel Joseph Joyce & Stanley Loeb Richard & Diane Lowensohn Ruth Marquis Liz & Ruben Menashe Toinette & Vic Menashe Lora & Jim Meyer Andrea Overbeck Sylvia & Gary Pearlman Laurie & Bert Rogoway Elise Rosenfeld Janis Shleifer Rosenfeld Sally Rosenfeld & Andrew Frank Bunny & Jerry Sadis Loree & Ken Sakai Linda & Larry Veltman Elaine & Sandy Weinstein Joella Werlin Janet & Alan Zell
In honor of Ellen Stearns Tracy Zitzelberger In honor of Ed & Joyce Tyler Cy & Martha Cook In honor of Betsy Warren Barb & Jack Schwartz In honor of Alan Rosenfeld for his special birthday Nikki & Stuart Director
In memory of Marilyn Forse Elaine & Sandy Weinstein In memory of Carol Gaiser Terri Warren In memory of Scott Hinsdale Nikki & Stuart Director In memory of Bob Palmer Nikki & Stuart Director In memory of Jahan Patch Arthur & Winnifred Danner
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID Portland OR Permit No. 1572
2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102 Portland, OR 97210 www.LiftUrbanPortland.org Return Service Requested
Guests at our Garden Party, sketched by artist, filmmaker and author Jan Baross. www.janbaross. com.
YOUR GOODIES CAN MAKE CHRISTMAS COMPLETE! Every Christmas Day, Lift Urban Portland partners with Congregation Beth Israel to share a community dinner with low-income neighbors in Northwest and Downtown Portland. Up to 500 people receive Christmas dinners with all the trimmings. Every guest receives a take-home goody bag, filled with hygiene items and a few treats. We need your help with “stocking stuffers” for the 500 goody bags. Here’s our wish list of the things we need:
How you can help . . .
• Anti-bacterial hand wipes • Ball point pens • Calendars (pocket size or larger) • Coffee packets • Dental floss • Emery boards • Fruit juice boxes • Greeting cards (all occasions) • Hand-warmers • Hot chocolate (individual packages) • Laundry soap (single-use boxes) • Liquid hand sanitizer (pocket-sized) • Notepads • Purse-size tissue packets
If you can provide 500, 250, 100, or even just a handful, please let us know by contacting: Darr Durham, (503) 221-1224 • Darr@LiftUrbanPortland.org.
• Raisins (single serve boxes) • Razors (disposable) • Tea • Toothpaste (8 oz tubes) • Tylenol™ (small pill packs)