As you probably know, Northwest Portland Minstries adopted an emergency food bank program last December. We’ve been running it “as-is” this year, as we learned more about how food banks work and about what our community needs. We are now gearing up to make significant improvements and changes.
In November 2008, the NWPM Food Bank distribution center moves to a bigger space in First Immanuel Lutheran Church’s campus at 1808 NW Irving Street.
This new location gives us the opportunity to change to a “choice-based model,” which means that recipients will choose what they need instead of being given a pre-packaged food box.
Research has shown that when food bank programs use a choice model for food distribution, the system runs at a much lower cost, meets hunger needs better and more efficiently, respects recipients’ individuality, preserves their dignity, and gives them more food choices.
As part of this evolution, there will be a staffing change. Kelly Caldwell, the NWPM Volunteer Program Manager, and Preston Holt, longtime volunteer, board member, and chair of the NWPM Nutrition Program Steering Committee, will share the job of coordinating the program.
This change will bring an increased need for volunteer help, both during the transition and on a weekly basis. In the short term we will need people with carpentry and organizing skills to help get our new space set up and running.
We need three volunteers per shift to staff the food bank during open hours. For the time being, the distribution center will continue to be open every Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on the fourth Monday of the month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
We also need volunteers to stock the shelves and to work at our warehouse on Mondays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.—or at another time arranged with the coordinators.
We also need help organizing food drives at local congregations and businesses.
If you are interested in contributing or
volunteering, contact Kelly or Preston by
phone at 503-221-1224 or by e-mail:
Kelly@nwpm.org or Preston@nwpm.org.
Save the date...
And the winner is ...
Congratulations to Sally Rosenfeld, the lucky winner of a $4,000 Azumano Travel gift card in the NWPM raffle in September!
Meet William Wagoner: veteran, activist, teacher
One of the many benefits of driving for Northwest Portland Ministries is meeting nice people every day. Their personal stories and their lives touch those who come in contact with them. One of these nice people is William Wagoner.
William and his wife Rosa recently moved to the Pearl District with the assistance of NWPM staff and volunteers. NWPM also transports William to the Veterans Administration Hospital, where he receives chemotherapy three times a week.
William was born 78 years ago in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Roswell, New Mexico, when he was two. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Medical Corps during the Korean war. He proudly wore two uniforms in his military career: one for the Navy and one for the U.S. Marine Corps. After tours of duty in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Korea, Japan, and Pearl Harbor, William attended UCLA and graduated in 1961 with a degree in psychology.
That same year, William traveled with the Freedom Riders in the southern part of the United States and witnessed American history at its lowest point. Along with the other civil rights activists, he was arrested and sent to Mississippi’s Parchman Farm penitentiary, where he was incarcerated for 30 days for “disturb- ing the peace.” The NAACP posted bail for the freedom riders, and the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned their convictions.
William taught high school Spanish and physical education in California. He also worked in insurance sales and sang as a bass soloist for the First Lutheran Church in New York City.
On his trips to the VA Hospital, William enjoys the company and the conversations with our drivers—and the feeling is quite mutual. ■
William and his wife Rosa recently moved to the Pearl District with the assistance of NWPM staff and volunteers. NWPM also transports William to the Veterans Administration Hospital, where he receives chemotherapy three times a week.
William was born 78 years ago in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Roswell, New Mexico, when he was two. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Medical Corps during the Korean war. He proudly wore two uniforms in his military career: one for the Navy and one for the U.S. Marine Corps. After tours of duty in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Korea, Japan, and Pearl Harbor, William attended UCLA and graduated in 1961 with a degree in psychology.
That same year, William traveled with the Freedom Riders in the southern part of the United States and witnessed American history at its lowest point. Along with the other civil rights activists, he was arrested and sent to Mississippi’s Parchman Farm penitentiary, where he was incarcerated for 30 days for “disturb- ing the peace.” The NAACP posted bail for the freedom riders, and the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned their convictions.
William taught high school Spanish and physical education in California. He also worked in insurance sales and sang as a bass soloist for the First Lutheran Church in New York City.
On his trips to the VA Hospital, William enjoys the company and the conversations with our drivers—and the feeling is quite mutual. ■
Holiday concert to benefit NWPM
The L’Chaim Ensemble will present a choral concert to celebrate music of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. The concert will take place on Sunday, November 23, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Avenue. Net proceeds from the event will benefit NWPM. Audience members can further help the cause by bringing nonperishable food items.
Survey identifies needs and interests of elders
In the summer of 2008, Northwest Portland Ministries volunteers surveyed more than 250 elders to identify their needs and interests. The survey, which was developed with input from community partners and older adults, used a number of questions that could be compared to other data sources.
The 30-question survey collected information on demographics, transportation issues, health and well-being and exercise, participation and interest in community activities, use of community resources, barriers to participation, and perceptions of community safety. The information we gathered creates a snapshot of the people in northwest and downtown whom we serve, or could serve, and will help shape priorities and collaboration with other organizations. The survey results also provide informa- tion about the needs of those who feel iso- lated, those who report multiple falls, and those who need more information to make better use of existing services.
Copies of the survey report are available by e-mail from Kelly Caldwell at Kelly@nwpm.org.
The filled backpack helps students who qualify and their families get through the weekend without hunger. Start-up funding for the program was provided by the Juan Young Trust and the Autzen Foundation. ■
The 30-question survey collected information on demographics, transportation issues, health and well-being and exercise, participation and interest in community activities, use of community resources, barriers to participation, and perceptions of community safety. The information we gathered creates a snapshot of the people in northwest and downtown whom we serve, or could serve, and will help shape priorities and collaboration with other organizations. The survey results also provide informa- tion about the needs of those who feel iso- lated, those who report multiple falls, and those who need more information to make better use of existing services.
Copies of the survey report are available by e-mail from Kelly Caldwell at Kelly@nwpm.org.
The filled backpack helps students who qualify and their families get through the weekend without hunger. Start-up funding for the program was provided by the Juan Young Trust and the Autzen Foundation. ■
Please join us in our effort to feed hungry kids!
Each weekend Northwest Portland Ministries sends a backpack of food home with disadvantaged children at Chapman Elementary School.
On school days, children living in shelters in the downtown area are bused to Chapman, where they receive breakfast and lunch. NWPM now provides weekend food for them. We have teams of volunteers who stuff the 30 backpacks each week and deliver them to the school.
You can help by becoming a volunteer, organizing a backpack- food drive, or contributing funds. (We can buy needed food at discount rates!)
We need small-container sizes of:
• Nuts
• Pudding Cups
• Jelly/jam
• Cup of noodles
• Fruit cups
• SpaghettiOs (or other individual pop-top meals)
• Fruit snacks (low or no sugar)
• Boxes of 100% fruit juice
• Protein/granola bars
• Tuna fish, canned
• Chicken, canned
• Pop Tarts (unfrosted)
• Crackers
• Dried fruit, raisins
• Shelf-stable milk or soy milk
• Cereal, non-sugar
• Cans of soup, stew, and chili
• Snack packs of cheese & crackers
• Trail mix
To get involved with this wonderful project, contact Kelly Caldwell at 503-221-1224 or Kelly@nwpm.org. ■
On school days, children living in shelters in the downtown area are bused to Chapman, where they receive breakfast and lunch. NWPM now provides weekend food for them. We have teams of volunteers who stuff the 30 backpacks each week and deliver them to the school.
You can help by becoming a volunteer, organizing a backpack- food drive, or contributing funds. (We can buy needed food at discount rates!)
We need small-container sizes of:
• Nuts
• Pudding Cups
• Jelly/jam
• Cup of noodles
• Fruit cups
• SpaghettiOs (or other individual pop-top meals)
• Fruit snacks (low or no sugar)
• Boxes of 100% fruit juice
• Protein/granola bars
• Tuna fish, canned
• Chicken, canned
• Pop Tarts (unfrosted)
• Crackers
• Dried fruit, raisins
• Shelf-stable milk or soy milk
• Cereal, non-sugar
• Cans of soup, stew, and chili
• Snack packs of cheese & crackers
• Trail mix
To get involved with this wonderful project, contact Kelly Caldwell at 503-221-1224 or Kelly@nwpm.org. ■
Drop in at Cafe Reese to help raise funds for our backpack program
On Monday, November 17, Cafe Reese will donate 20% of its proceeds to the NWPM backpack program. Cafe Reese is an expresso, beer, and wine bar in Northwest Portland. The menu boasts a nice selection of soup, salad and panini sandwiches.
Cafe Reese
1037 NW 23rd Ave. (at Marshall)
Portland, OR 97210 503.219.0633
Open 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cafe Reese
1037 NW 23rd Ave. (at Marshall)
Portland, OR 97210 503.219.0633
Open 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Moving Update
Northwest Portland Ministries is in the process of moving into its new office at Montgomery Park. The office will be closed November 7–10 so we can get all our boxes unpacked and our computer equipment up and running. Thanks to General Tool & Supply Co. and Esco, we will have secure parking nearby for our vans and buses. Thanks to Oso Martin of Bear eCycling for providing his big truck to move our office furniture!
Our new address is:
2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102
Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-221-1224
Website: www.nwpm.org
Our new address is:
2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102
Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-221-1224
Website: www.nwpm.org
Annual fundraiser nets $19K
Our 2008 dinner and auction brought in $19,182 to support the programs of NWPM. Generous donations to the silent auction from businesses and individuals raised $5,000.
Another $3,000 was donated by table sponsors Albina Community Bank, Forest Park Federal Credit Union, Bonny Groshong, Pearl Partners, and Westover Heights Women’s Clinic. Ticket sales, a vacation raffle, and pledges from individuals made up
the balance of the evening’s proceeds.
Thanks to all who attended the event, bought raffle tickets and auction items, donated items and funds, and volunteered a total of 415 hours to make this event both enjoyable and profitable. ■
Another $3,000 was donated by table sponsors Albina Community Bank, Forest Park Federal Credit Union, Bonny Groshong, Pearl Partners, and Westover Heights Women’s Clinic. Ticket sales, a vacation raffle, and pledges from individuals made up
the balance of the evening’s proceeds.
Thanks to all who attended the event, bought raffle tickets and auction items, donated items and funds, and volunteered a total of 415 hours to make this event both enjoyable and profitable. ■
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