3,434
1,661
1,545
740
1,500
500
residents received a 4-5 day food supply
housebound neighbors received food boxes
people received fresh produce
pounds of fresh food grown
backpacks full of healthy food
guests will come to our Christmas dinner
FALL 2014 New Faces . . 5
an Interfaith Community of Volunteers 2701 NW VAUGHN ST, SUITE 102 • PORTLAND, OR • 97210 503-221-1224 • www.LiftUrbanPortland.org
IN THIS ISSUE
“People need food. It’s not a luxury. People need food to sustain their life.”
Season of Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Business Partner Spotlight . . . . . 3 Garden Fête Wrap up . . . . . . . . . 4 Nourishing Our Community . . . . . 5 Volunteer Opportunities . . . . . . . . 5 Donors & Tribute Gifts . . . . . . . . . 6 In-Kind Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 New Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dedicated Lift Urban Portland volunteer Garrett helps unload and sort food for our pantry every Friday.
Support Lift Urban Portland, Make a Lasting Difference Xiao Guan, a single mother who visits the pantry with her toddler son, Oscar, says those trips save her nearly $100 each month, allowing her to re-allocate those resources to other necessary expenses for her family.
For centuries, people around the world have gathered to celebrate the holiday season, drawing much-needed strength from their communities to make it through the cold winter months.
This season, we need your help to support our low-income neighbors in Northwest and Downtown Portland who need it most.
As the statistics across the top of this page showcase, donations and volunteer hours have made an incredible difference in our community this year. We need your help to sustain these programs and reach more people in need. There are numerous ways to donate:
• Contribute to the virtual food drive on our website • Become a monthly sustaining donor • Enclose a check in the envelope provided in this newsletter We wish you a safe and healthy holiday season.
lift urban portl and
Dinner Items Needed
season of giving As the holiday season nears, there are many opportunities to support those in need. Throwing a holiday party? Make it even more meaningful by encouraging your guests to bring food pantry items or supplies for our Christmas dinner gift bags. Rather donate online? Check out our Virtual Food Drive, and connect with our social media on Giving Tuesday.
Do you have a tradition of giving during the holidays? We want to hear your story! Email it to Katie@LiftUrbanPortland.org or share it on our Facebook page. Read on to find out how you can make a difference in the Northwest Portland community this holiday season.
The holidays are a time when many of us focus on giving back. But that message sometimes gets lost in the consumer chaos of Black Friday or Cyber Monday, which is why December 2 is set aside as Giving Tuesday!
The Giving Tuesday movement brings together nonprofits, businesses, and communities from across the globe to kick off the holiday season with a day of giving. Last year, more than 10,000 organizations in 46 countries came together for Giving Tuesday, and this year Lift Urban Portland is part of that cohort.
To celebrate, Lift Urban Portland is launching a social media campaign for Giving Tuesday to help raise our awareness within the community. On December 2, take a few minutes to find and like our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You can even tweet your stories of giving to @LiftUrbanPDX or post them to our Facebook page with the hashtag #GivingTuesday. And if you like what you see on our Facebook page, please give us a 5-star rating! This helps improve our visibility, helping Lift Urban Portland reach out to even more people.
Donate Through Our Virtual Food Drive Help support Lift Urban Portland through our Virtual Food Drive. This online service allows donors to choose food from a list of most-needed items. Once items are added to a virtual shopping cart, donors check out through a secure payment system. It’s easy, convenient, and it enables Lift Urban Portland to purchase items at bulk rates, ensuring that we get the most out of every dollar.
Please help us collect supplies for the gift bags (list below). Donations must be dropped off at the Lift Urban Portland office by December 20. • Anti-bacterial hand wipes or liquid • Body wash • Chapstick • Cocoa, coffee, tea packets • Dental floss • Fruit juice boxes • Gloves • Hand lotion, body lotion • Hand warmers • Hats • Instant oatmeal • Laundry soap packets • Mouthwash • Nail files • Notepads • Pens • Pocket calendars • Raisins • Razors • Scarves • Shampoo and conditioner • Tissues (purse size) • Toothbrushes • Toothpaste
Pantry Items Needed Most wanted pantry items include: LiftUrbanPortland.org
For more information, or to make a donation through the Virtual Food Drive, visit www.lifturbanportland.org. 2
Every year since 1985, Lift Urban Portland, in concert with Congregation Beth Israel, hosts a Christmas dinner for low-income residents of Northwest Portland. We feed about 500 people on site and deliver more than 100 dinners to those who can’t attend the meal. Everyone receives gift bags full of goodies to help them stay warm, clean, and nourished during the holidays.
• Cooking oil • Peanut butter or other nut butters • Tuna fish • Canned beans • Tomato products (sauce, canned, diced, etc.) • Ziplock bags (quart or gallon) • Non-latex gloves • Cleaning supplies
fall 2014
Business Partner Spotlight
She founded the store with the aim of creating a space where women felt safe and comfortable trying new fashions and picking out clothes. Since then, it has grown into a thriving business, expanding from its humble beginnings to a chic, spacious location on NW Raleigh, just off NW 23rd Avenue. Sherry even launched a separate home furnishings consignment store, Seams to Fit Home.
But Sherry’s desire to create community has spread far beyond the walls of Seams to Fit. Four years ago, she started a community outreach program that targeted four local nonprofits—including Lift Urban Portland—to receive cash donations from the store’s proceeds. In that time, Seams to Fit has donated nearly $50,000 to its nonprofit partners.
“Isolation is so prevalent in today’s world,” said Sherry. “I depend on the community, and I want the community to depend on me.”
The way it works is consignors have the option to donate to one of the four nonprofits that Sherry has selected, or to a nonprofit of their own choice.
Then, after three months, Seams to Fit lists select items that did not sell in the store, but might attract interest online, on its store’s eBay website. From there, the items that still do not sell are moved into the store’s eBay Giving Works site, where 100 percent of the proceeds go to the chosen nonprofit.
“Each month [the donation] may be a little bit, but when you add it all up, it’s big,” said Sherry.
And she’s right—since she launched the program about four years ago, Seams to Fit has donated nearly $14,000 to Lift Urban Portland. Donating that amount all at once would be difficult for her business, said Sherry, but small donations over a period of years is sustainable for her bottom line and makes a significant positive difference to Lift Urban Portland.
“I just want to highlight that even small businesses can make a big impact in the community,” said Sherry. “I’m not a large business, but I believe in helping.”
Want to get involved? Spend a weekend cleaning out your closet, and pull out the items that are gathering dust. Take them to Seams to Fit for consignment consideration, and make sure to choose Lift Urban Portland as your nonprofit beneficiary. Seams to Fit accepts women’s clothing, handbags, and accessories. The store is highly selective and specializes in high-end, designer clothing, so check their website (www.seamstofit.com) to see what items they are most likely to accept.
community
Building community has been part of Sherry Linder’s business plan since she opened Seams to Fit, an upscale consignment shop for women, fifteen years ago.
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lift urban portl and
Summer Garden Fête: Fun & Fundraising This year’s annual garden party event raised more than $65,000 for Lift Urban Portland! Held at Castaway Portland on August 26, the event brought together members of our community for a night of celebration with folk dancers, food, and auctions. Thanks to everyone who came to support Lift Urban Portland. We hope to see you again next year!
The Bridgetown Morris Men entertain with authentic English country dances.
The live auction featured fabulous trips to Mexico, Italy, and Bali! The paddle raise brought in over $20,000 for Lift Urban Portland.
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Guests enter bids on the silent auction, which raised nearly $5,000.
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1. Rabbi Rachel Joseph offers a blessing before dinner. 2. U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici chats with Lift Urban Portland’s Interim Executive Director, Ann Witsil. 3. Board President Susan Milstein and her husband Barney enjoy the festivities. 4. Terri Warren, chair of the Garden Fête committee. Other committee members included Lynn Greenwood, Susan Milstein, Patricia Scoggins, Ellen Stearns, and Deb VanCuren.
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fall 2014
3,434 residents
1,661 neighbors
received a 4-5 day food supply of food at our food pantry
received food boxes, delivered by Lift UP volunteers
500 guests will come to our annual Christmas dinner, hosted by Congregation Beth Israel
1,500 backpacks full of healthy food went home on weekends with students who primarily rely on school meals for their nutrition
Nourishing Our Community With the help of our volunteers, generous donors, faith-based communities, and business partners, Lift Urban Portland puts food on the tables of thousands of hungry residents each year. Visit www.LiftUrbanPortland.org to learn how you can help.
740 pounds of fresh food grew in our community gardens—and went directly into the pantry
1,545 people received fresh produce through our harvest share program in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank
Volunteers Needed Lift Urban Portland’s programs depend on our volunteers! If you are interested in any of these positions, or if you want more information, please contact Erin at Erin@LiftUrbanPortland.org. Food Delivery Drivers Every Tuesday and/or Friday from 9:30 a.m.–roughly 1 p.m. Must have own vehicle for delivery. Volunteer picks up pre-packed boxes of food from Lift Urban Portland’s warehouse and pantry and delivers them to a list of residents in downtown and Northwest Portland. Position requires someone who has their own vehicle, is reliable and on time, is comfortable entering low-income buildings (we generally don’t enter homes), and who is friendly, but can work independently. Harvest Share Helpers Second Wednesday of each month from 7–10 a.m. Volunteers sort and organize produce delivered by the Oregon Food Bank and hand it out to customers. Position has a medium amount of heavy lifting and requires a volunteer who is reliable, on time, and comfortable in diverse settings. Chinese language skills a bonus!
Oregon Food Bank Assistant Every Thursday from 1–3 p.m. Must have a truck or SUV. Volunteer meets Lift Urban Portland staff at the Oregon Food Bank (7900 NE 33rd Avenue), loads food into vehicles, and delivers food to the warehouse and pantry. Central City Concern volunteers help unload. Position has a large amount of lifting, and requires a volunteer who is reliable, on time, and able to work in a variety of weather conditions. Backpack for Kids Volunteers Time is flexible during daytime work hours. About 1 hr/shift. Volunteers fills backpacks with food for families who rely on school meals to feed their children, and deliver them to local schools, helping to provide healthy meals for these families on the weekends.
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lift urban portl and JULY 1–SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
Donors
Anonymous Barbara Ballweber Carole Barkley & David Loftus Lynne Bartenstein & Dan Heims Stuart & Jacqueline Barthold Alan & Deborah Bell Sandy & Barbara Bernbaum Les & Ellen Bick US Rep. Suzanne Bonamici & The Honorable Michael Simon Sharon & Steve Brenner Becky Brown Donna Brownstein Jeremy Burroughs Barbara & Barry Caplan Jim & Mary Carey Carol & Sy Chestler Ilaine Cohen Gina Cole Tracey Coleman Congregation Beth Israel Con-way Enterprise Services Catherine Cooke KC Cowan Barbara Crooke D.A. Davidson & Co. David & Susan Decker Bruce Director Nikki & Stuart Director Barbara Durkheimer & Gary Larsen Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Marian Edwards Family Partnership Elephant’s Delicatessen Cindy Evans Brian & Kathy Fleener Fred Meyer, Inc. Gerald & Olivia Froebe Janet Gallagher Alice Gates Lesley & Bob Glasgow Herman Green Lynn Greenwood Gerry & Margo Greeve Bonny Groshong Wendy Gutmann Margaret Hasson Hal Hendrix & Terri Warren
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Tribute Gifts Kenneth & Jane Hergenhan Anne & Jim Holtz The Holzman Foundation Home Forward Cal & Sally Horn Lynn Hyde Lesley Isenstein Fred Jeibmann Ellin & Fletcher Johnson Kristine & Robert Jurgenson Judith & Garry Kahn Leatrice Kaplan Jan & James Kasameyer Kelsey Kekow Delores & Ken Kimmel Susan Korey & Merritt Linn David & Jennifer Director Knudsen Ann L. Kramer Sandy Kurth Karen Labinger Barbara & Stuart Lang Lynn Langfeld Craig & Linda Langley Legacy Health System Joyce & Stanley Loeb Richard & Diane Lowensohn Carey & Dan MacNaughton Louise & Richard Marsh Caryn May Penni Mellon Toinette & Vic Menashe Alice & Paul Meyer Jeff Miller Susan & Barney Milstein Robert & Jane Morrow Helle Nathan Robert & Carolyn Neighbor Jill & Dr. Ed Neuwelt David & Marjorie Newman Jeanne Newmark OnPoint Community Credit Union The Parish of St. Mark Linda Ostomel Jeff Pazdalski Sylvia & Gary Pearlman Barbara Prigohzy Abby Director Quinn Shirley Rackner Dave & Cheryl Richardson
Sharon & Jeff Richardson Laurie & Bert Rogoway Alan and Eve Rosenfeld Rosemarie Rosenfeld Sally Rosenfeld Janis Rosenfeld-Barbash Betsy A. Russell Rose Rustin Bunny & Jerry Sadis Linda & Michael Salinsky Robert & Marilyn Schuberg Barb & Jack Schwartz Patricia & Julius Scoggins Seams to Fit SELCO Community Credit Union Jinny Shipman Susan & Stuart Shleifer St. Mary’s Cathedral St. Patrick Church Star Industrial Supply, Inc. Carla & Matthew Starrett-Bigg Ellen & Charles Stearns William & Cornelia Stevens Bruce Strade Kathy Strade Naomi Strauss Terwilliger Plaza Peter & Suzanne Spitler Thompson Anthony & Christine Thurston T. Robert Tobias Cheryl Tonkin Betty & Mark Troseth Tony & Bianca Urdes Kay Van Patten Deb VanCuren Carolyn Vanderslice Linda & Larry Veltman Terry Wade Pastor Melinda Wagner Pam & Carl Walker Norman & Suzan Wapnick Carolyn & Gary Weinstein Joe Welch The Employees of Wells Fargo Bank Joella Werlin Westover Heights Clinic Ann Witsil Janet & Alan Zell
In honor of Kathy Buss Barbara Crooke Nikki & Stuart Director Joyce & Stanley Loeb Ellen & Charles Stearns
In honor of Nikki Director Sandy & Barbara Bernbaum Barbara & Barry Caplan Congregation Beth Israel Barbara Crooke Bruce Director Delores & Ken Kimmel Susan Korey & Merritt Linn Karen Labinger Barbara & Stuart Lang Joyce & Stanley Loeb Alice & Paul Meyer Linda Ostomel Susan & Stuart Shleifer Cheryl Tonkin Linda & Larry Veltman Norman & Suzan Wapnick
In honor of Preston Holt Ellin & Fletcher Johnson Toinette & Vic Menashe William & Cornelia Stevens Peter & Suzanne Spitler Thompson Anthony & Christine Thurston In honor of Caryn May Betty & Mark Troseth In honor of Susan & Barney Milstein Catherine Cooke
In honor of Hester Nau Stuart & Jacqueline Barthold In honor of Alan & Eve Rosenfeld Lynn Langfeld Toinette & Vic Menashe Janis Rosenfeld-Barbash Carolyn & Gary Weinstein Joella Werlin In memory of Louise Marsh’s father Nikki & Stuart Director
fall 2014
In-Kind Donations Anonymous Antica Terra Winery Artists Repertory Theatre Linda Atencio Crystal Bailey Baker & Spice Bakery Bergstrom Winery Rosalie Betschardt John Bright Bull Run Distilling Co. Chehalem Wines Child’s Play City Liquidators Columbia Sportswear Paula Corbridge CorePower Yoga Barbara Crooke Dave’s Killer Bread Darr Durham Nikki Director Elixia Wellness Group Ellington Handbags
First Immanuel Lutheran Church Howard & Evelyn Freedman Friends of Chamber Music Bonny Groshong The Clients of Hanu Pilates Havurah Shalom Heron Haus Bed & Breakfast Inn Higgins Restaurant Huckleberry Pub Jesuit High School Alumni Ben Johnson Kristine Jurgenson Kenny & Zuke’s Bagelworks Lakeside Bicycles Linda Langley Judith Lienhard Marco’s Cafe Mary Jane’s House of Glass McMenamins Pubs & Breweries
Danielle Melanson The Merlo Corp. Susan Milstein Sarah Miscoe Morel Ink Northwest Children’s Theater & School Paloma Clothing Pizzacato Pizza Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra Portland Farmer’s Market Portland Food Project Portland Nursery Portland Timbers Recology The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club Safeway - Pearl Salvador Molly’s Salvation Army, White Shield Center
Josh Sanz The Schooner Restaurant Lynda Shapiro Smith Teaworks Sniff Dog Hotel Sojourn Ventures Southland Whiskey Kitchen Squires Electric, Inc. St. Mary’s Cathedral Starbucks Coffee Co. Ellen Stearns Switch Shoes TeSóAria Winery Timberline Lodge & Ski Area Trader Joe’s Twist Urban Gleaners Terri Warren Ann Witsil Wonders of Walking Zion Lutheran Church Z’ivo Wine
Thank you to the people and organizations that contributed to Lift Urban Portland during our last fiscal quarter. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of these lists. If you see an error, please contact us at 503-221-1224.
New Faces at Lift Urban Portland K ATIE A SH Communications & Events Coordinator
Katie Ash joined the staff of Lift Urban Portland at the end of September. She moved to Portland in 2008 and has spent the past six years volunteering at a variety of local nonprofits such as the Portland Zine Symposium, SCRAP, and Write Around Portland. Previously, Katie was a reporter for the nonprofit national newspaper Education Week which covers K-12 public education. In her spare time, Katie enjoys gardening, bike riding, and traveling.
ER IN GOLDWATER Program Manager
Erin joined our team this summer as an intern for our Garden Fête. As the new program manager, her focus will be on volunteer coordination, our Adopt-A-High Rise program, and our gardens. She has a varied background: architecture degree from Berkeley, kindergarten teacher, pastry chef, volunteer coordinator with AC Portland. She moved to Portland four years ago and instantly fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Her free time is spent riding her bike, reading, crafting, and cooking. 7
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GENEROUS DONOR
Collect food or cash at your holiday party
Organize a food drive at work We provide barrels!
Set up a monthly donation from your credit card or checking account
Donate to the Virtual Food Drive
Make a cash donation in honor of the person who has everything Nothing to wrap!
Sign up to volunteer See page 5 for opportunities at Lift Urban Portland!
Visit LiftUrbanPortland.org to learn more, make a financial donation, or donate to the virtual food drive. Lift Urban Portland is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support.
Include Lift Urban Portland in your estate plan