SUMMER Newsletter

Board Member Honored

2009-07-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

The tambourines were shaking with joy as people came together to honor women of distinction with the annual Song of Miriam awards on June 7, 2009. Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood honored Carole Barkley in recognition of her outstanding volunteer work with the sisterhood. Carole wrote and edited Sisterhood bulletin articles for five years. In the gift shop, she instituted the sale of Sisters of the Road meal coupons and collections of hygiene articles for the homeless. She organized food drives that distributed food to five neighborhood pantries, including Northwest Portland Ministries. She coordinated Congregation Beth Israel’s first community-wide Mitzvah Day, which placed 230 volunteers in 12 nonprofit organizations including NWPM.

Carole’s commitment to interfaith community activities includes serving on the board of NWPM—including two years as president—and volunteering at it’s Loaves & Fishes meal site. She involves Congregation Beth Israel in enriching the lives of residents of a Housing Authority building by organizing social activities through the Adopt-A-Highrise program. She coordinates the NWPM Christmas dinner at Congregation Beth Israel, where volunteers serve 500 low-income neighbors on Christmas Day.

High School Students Learn Philanthropy

2009-07-13T18:40:00.001-07:00

Students from Jesuit High School’s Community 101 class spent the year learning how philanthropy works. PGE challenged the high school students to find a cause to champion and then come up with criteria for awarding $5,000 in grants. The cause they chose was fighting hunger. The Northwest Portland Ministries Food for Kids Backpack program was one of six recipients of grants and received $1,500. Not only did the students award the $5,000 provided by PGE, they matched that amount with funds they raised throughout the year.

Ride Home from Food Pantry

2009-07-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Is it difficult for you to carry bags home from the Food Pantry? NWPM now has volunteers available on Tuesdays to help drive you home from the Food Pantry with your groceries. Please call the office to let us know one day in advance that you’d like a ride home and we’ll have a volunteer ready for you. Please call Dave at 503-221-1224, ext. 100,

RideAbout Shopping Shuttle Launches

2009-07-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Shopping trips are made easier with weekly shopping trips provided by the lift equipped mini-bus. Thanks to our many dedicated partners, (HAP, Marshall Union Manor, Tri-Met, Rose Schnitzer Tower and Ride Connection); we were able to reconfigure the Senior Shuttle into a Shopping RideAbout. On Saturdays the Ride-About serves the downtown area from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., making a one-hour shopping loop with stops at Gretchen Kafoury Commons, Rose Schnitzer Tower, Elm Court Loaves & Fishes, Helen Swindells, Rosenbaum Plaza, The Morrison, and Fred Meyer. On Monday the shopping RideAbout is a 45-minute loop stopping at Marshall Union Manor, Gallagher Plaza, Medallion Apartments, Northwest Tower, Fred Meyer, and Trader Joes. Riders do not need to live at these locations to pick up the RideAbout. For schedules, please contact Dave at 503-221-1224, ext. 100.

Keep in the Loop: E-mails Requested

2009-07-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

Do you know when the latest work parties are scheduled? When and where we need volunteers for specific tasks? What special events are coming up? What items have been donated to our auction? You will if you give us your e-mail address. Twice a month an informative message goes out to keep you in the loop. Because our newsletter comes out only three times a year, email is a cost-effective way for us to keep you informed of all the wonderful things happening at NWPM and how you can be part of that action. E-mail codi@nwpm.org or call in your e-mail address to 503-221-1224, ext. 103.

Board Develops New Key Messages

2009-07-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

In April our energetic Board of Directors along with select community volunteers spent a productive morning updating our mission statement and key message. Our updated mission statement is: “Northwest Portland Ministries creates a caring community of volunteers who help neighbors in need.” Our key message is: “Northwest Portland Ministries inspires volunteers from congregations and the larger community to help neighbors live with dignity and purpose. We provide food, transportation, recreation and helping hands.” Our tag line is: “A caring community of volunteers.” You will be seeing our new messages throughout our publications.

A Kiss for $1

2009-07-13T18:34:00.002-07:00

No it’s not the local community fair, but one of the many creative ways local businesses with Nob Hill Business Association raised money and food during the month of May to benefit the Emergency Food Box program. A total of more than $1,200 cash was collected from creative raffles, proceeds from a day, point of sale donations, and general food collection. Participating businesses were Food Front, ESCO, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, A Child’s Play, Blush Beauty Bar, Clearwire Uptown, Nob Hill Shoe Repair, Chown Hardware, Dragonfly Café, Dragontree Spa, Linfield College, Blooming Moon Spa, and Heron Haus B & B. For locations & websites, click here or scroll down.

Save The Date: NWPM Fourth Annual Dinner and Auction

2009-07-13T18:33:00.001-07:00

Save October 24, 2009 for a great evening out. The dinner and auction will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bid on some wonderful items, including weekend getaways, entertainment, an amazing bicycle, a specialty card-making party, restaurant meals, and a one-week rental at a 3,000 square-foot home in Kona, Hawaii that sleeps six. Gather your friends and join us. Cost: $50 per person.

Giving Made Easy

2009-07-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

Northwest Portland Ministries needs ongoing donor support to help our neighbors live with dignity and purpose by providing food, transportation, recreation, and helping hands. Our new donor envelope enables you to give a gift in honor, in memory, or in celebration of someone. You can also use it to set up a monthly donation through electronic funds transfer (EFT). A monthly donation like this makes donating easy, saves you the cost of a stamp, and enables you to give a substantial gift over a period of time. For more information, please contact our Office Manager, Codi, at 503-221-1224, ext. 103.

May 2009 Emergeny Food Box Participating Businesses

2009-07-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

The next time you visit these businesses/ participants, please thank them for supporting NWPM! Click "map" below for their location, or visit their websites.

Food Front: map, website

ESCO: map, website

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital: map, website

A Child’s Play: map, website

Blush Beauty Bar: map, website

Clearwire Uptown: map, website

Nob Hill Shoe Repair: map

Chown Hardware: map, website

Dragonfly Café: map

Dragontree Spa: map, website

Linfield College: map, website

Blooming Moon Spa: map, website

Heron Haus B & B: map, website

Volunteer driver finds “kindness and love” in her time with NWPM

2009-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Andrea List has been a volunteer driver for Northwest Portland Ministries since last summer.

Although Andrea was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, her family moved to Portland in 1968 when her father, Walter List, graduated from dental school. Andrea and her sister Cara grew up in the Pacific Northwest with a love and enjoyment of nature. Backpacking, running, biking, horse camps, racquetball in the summer, and snow skiing in the winter help Andrea keep active. Other hobbies include gardening and landscaping.

Andrea has had many pets, including goats, tropical fish, a dog named Bashka (meaning “bear”), a rabbit named Helen, and currently a cat named Lucy.

Andrea’s mother, Barbara, has Lou Gehrig's Disease, and has taught Andrea compassion for the needs of others. Andrea says she has found much to admire in the programs and services of NWPM.

Andrea proudly volunteers twice a week for NWPM, driving two gentlemen to Trinity Episcopal Church, where the volunteer staff provides fun and stimulating activities for Alzheimer’s patients and peace of mind for their families.

Andrea says, “Volunteering for Northwest Portland Ministries has taught me such kindness and love, with the services we provide and the numerous activities involving caring people who help throughout the year.”

Get a $10 gift card

2009-02-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

The demand for transportation has skyrocketed recently!
NWPM cannot fill all requests for rides because we don’t have enough great volunteers like Andrea. For every qualified driver you recruit during February and March we’ll reward you with a $10 Fred Meyer gift card.

Free! Upcooming Presentations

2009-02-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Rethinking transportation

Ride Connection introduces alternative transportation options where you live. What transportation mix makes sense for you, your loved ones, or the people in your life who need
help? Which mix would be safe and reliable? Come and find out!

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Time: 10:45 a.m.
Location: Elm Court Loaves & Fishes,
1032 SW Main Street
-or-

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Marshall Union Manor, 2020
NW Northrup Street

Contact: Dave Truman 503-221-1224 x100

The Best Ride workshop

T his training session for volunteer drivers answers the question: “How does this thing work?” Learn how to work with the various types of mobility devices passengers use.

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: First Immanuel Lutheran
Church, 816 NW Irving Street
RSVP: Dave Truman 503-221-1224 x100

Become a ride ambassador!

2009-02-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

Volunteer with NWPM and TriMet as a travel companion for those using the Portland Streetcar, the MAX lines, or buses that serve Northwest Portland.
Contact: Dave Truman 503-221-1224 x100

Introducing the 2009 NWPM Board

2009-02-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

President: Janet Gallagher, Ascension Parish
Vice President: Gina Cole, Legacy Health System
Treasurer: Chapman Dix, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Secretary: Ed Tyler, St. Mary’s Cathedral
Member at Large: Bonny Groshong, First Immanuel Lutheran Church
Carole Barkley, Congregation Beth Israel
Lynne Bartenstein, Congregation Beth Israel
Nikki Director, Congregation Beth Israel
Preston Holt, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Tom Maddox, Food Front
Marvin Mitchell, First Presbyterian Church
Father Steve Norcross, Ascension Parish
Pastor Melinda Wagner, First Immanuel Lutheran Church

Portland Civic Theatre Guild creates joy for seniors

2009-02-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

During its 2008-2009 50th Anniversary Celebration Year, the Guild is providing NWPM with five tickets to each of its theatrical readings preceded by an elegant coffee and tea service in the Old Church. NWPM will provide transportation. “It is with sheer joy that I write this note to you. The Angel Street reading was totally captivating” expressed Marilyn Feldman who was one of the recipients of the tickets. Future tickets will be available for residents of Gallagher Plaza in February, Medallion in March, Marshall Union Manor in April, and Schnitzer Tower in May. If you are a resident and are interested in attending, contact Suzanne at 503-221-1224 Monday and Wednesday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Christmas 2008

2009-02-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

For the 24th year, Northwest Portland Ministries hosted a Christmas dinner for the community. The logistics of this year’s event were challenging, thanks to a major snowstorm that shut down most of the city. However, canceling the dinner was never an option, because so many people were counting on it.

Thanks to the ingenuity and generosity of many volunteers, the dinner went on as planned. We served 497 meals that day, including 83 that were delivered to the homes of people who were unable to get to Temple Beth Israel, the site of the dinner.

Even though some of the 130 scheduled volunteers were also unable to come in, others who lived nearby or had chains on their cars filled in. This was a truly interfaith and community-supported event, with food, funding, equipment, decorations, and volunteers from Beth Israel, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, Havurah Shalom, Ascension Episcopal Parish, Food Front, and others who just wanted to help. Our guests enjoyed not only a delicious turkey dinner, but lively music, gifts bags of practical items, scarves and hats knitted by Beth Israel’s “Knit a Mitzvah” group, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the midst of a cold and icy week.

New Office Manager

2009-02-17T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone my name is Codi Kodama, I’m the new Office Manager at Northwest Portland Ministries. I was born in Hawaii and raised in Ashland, Oregon. When I’m not in the office I enjoy walking and hiking on nature trails or in parks, reading, creating music in my home studio, and learning about and eating healthy foods. Portland has been my home since late 2006 and I am excited about this opportunity to work for such a great organization that serves the needs of families and individuals in our local community.

The Community Share Program

2009-02-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Northwest Portland Ministries Food Pantry is an emergency food distribution site affiliated with the Oregon Food Bank. It serves income-eligible residents of Northwest Portland. Making sure our food pantry is well stocked for maximum customer choice is our first priority, but often we have surplus perishables that we want to get distributed.

In order to ensure perishable food gets eaten instead of wasted, we have a Community Share program. Breads, pastries, fruits, vegetables, and other items are provided each to individuals, low-income residences, and a variety of community-based programs through several methods. Anyone is welcome to stop by the pantry once a week during regular hours to see if there is Community Share food available (This doesn’t count against eligibility for monthly shopping.) Boxes of Community Share food may also be picked up or delivered by arrangement. There are no income or geographic limitations placed on Community Share recipients.

PLEASE NOTE: The food available in the Community Share Program is highly perishable, and should be inspected carefully and consumed within 24 hours. As always, “when it doubt, throw it out!”

Thanks for the food drive!

2009-02-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

The following organizations held food drives on behalf of NWPM during the month of December 2008:
Legacy Good Samaritan
Fruit & Flower Child Care Center
Havurah Shalom
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Northwest Soup and Subs
Office of Disease Prevention & Epidemiology, Ore-
gon Department of Human Services
General Tool & Supply Co.
Albina Community Bank

Welcome and thanks to our newest congregational partners, the Zen Center of Portland for helping us out at our 2nd Wednesday Harvest Share!

“Together we can . . . !”

2009-02-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are an essential part of the NWPM Food Pantry, Community Share program and the Food For Kids Backpack program. Volunteers help out every weekday except Wednesdays and at weekend work parties. Cleaning, sorting food drive items, and repacking items are frequent work party activities. Volunteers can also help to pick up food-drive donations and glean perishables. We are particularly in need of people who can make pickups and deliveries, and/or who are able to regularly lift 40 pound boxes.

Volunteers at the last work party

Monthly work parties at the NWPM Warehouse

2009-02-17T18:54:00.000-08:00

Warehouse work parties are scheduled for:
Monday, February 16, 2009 1:00-4:00 p.m. (President’s Day)
Saturday, March 14, 2009 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: 2145 NW Overton Street—a cream colored building with a green awning.
Contact: Kelly@nwpm.org or 503-221-1224 ext.
105. www.nwpmcommunity.blogspot.com
If you’d like to work at the warehouse but can’t make it to a work party, let us know and we can find a way to schedule something that you can do.

Save the date!

2009-02-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch Thursday, April 23, 2009

Point of sale donor

2009-02-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

During the month of February, Food Front will provide customers the opportunity to donate directly to the “Food for Kids Backpack Program” at check out time. Food Front is located at 2375 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR 97210.

Dining for dollars

2009-02-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

Northwest Portland Ministries is partnering with Serratto Restaurant to bring you fabulous dining while benefiting “Food for Kids Backpack Program.” Serratto is a lively and elegant neighborhood restaurant serving authentic and innovative dishes from Italy, France, and the greater Mediterranean region. Bring friends, family and coworkers.
When: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Where: Serrato Restaurant, 2112 NW Kearney Street, Portland, OR 97210 Participate: 10% of the days income will benefit the “Food for Kids Backpack Program.”

NWPM Emergency Food Program: More Space, New Process

2008-09-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

And the winner is ...

2008-09-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

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. ■

Holiday concert to benefit NWPM

2008-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

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. ■

Please join us in our effort to feed hungry kids!

2008-09-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

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. ■

Drop in at Cafe Reese to help raise funds for our backpack program

2008-09-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Moving Update

2008-09-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

Annual fundraiser nets $19K

2008-09-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

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. ■