Support Lift Urban Portland, Make a Lasting DifferenceFor 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.

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.

Dedicated Lift Urban Portland volunteer Garrett helps unload and sort food for our pantry every Friday.

3,434 residents received a

4-5 day food supply

1,661 housebound

neighbors received food

boxes

1,545 people

received fresh produce

740 pounds of fresh food

grown

1,500 backpacks

full of healthy food

500 guests will come to our Christmas

dinner

New Faces . 5

IN THIS ISSUESeason 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

“People need food. It’s not a luxury.

People need food to sustain their life.”

FALL 2014

an Interfaith Community of Volunteers2701 NW VAUGHN ST, SUITE 102 • PORTLAND, OR • 97210

503-221-1224 • www.LiftUrbanPortland.org

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season of givingAs 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 DriveHelp 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.

For more information, or to make a donation through the Virtual Food Drive, visit www.lifturbanportland.org.

Dinner Items NeededEvery 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.

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 NeededMost wanted pantry items include:

• 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

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Business Partner Spotlight

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.

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.

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Summer Garden Fête: Fun & FundraisingThis 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!

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.

Guests enter bids on the silent auction, which raised nearly $5,000.

The live auction featured fabulous trips to Mexico, Italy, and Bali! The paddle raise brought in over $20,000 for Lift Urban Portland.

The Bridgetown Morris Men entertain with authentic English country dances.

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Nourishing Our

CommunityWith 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.

Volunteers NeededLift 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 DriversEvery 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 HelpersSecond 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 AssistantEvery 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 VolunteersTime 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.

received a 4-5 day food supply of food at our food pantry

3,434 residents received food boxes, delivered

by Lift UP volunteers

1,661 neighbors

received fresh produce through our harvest share

program in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank

1,545 people

of fresh food grew in our community gardens—and

went directly into the pantry

740 pounds

full of healthy food went home on weekends with students

who primarily rely on school meals for their nutrition

1,500 backpacks

will come to our annual Christmas dinner, hosted by

Congregation Beth Israel

500 guests

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JULY 1–SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

Donors Tribute GiftsAnonymous Barbara BallweberCarole Barkley & David LoftusLynne Bartenstein

& Dan HeimsStuart & Jacqueline BartholdAlan & Deborah BellSandy & Barbara BernbaumLes & Ellen BickUS Rep. Suzanne Bonamici &

The Honorable Michael Simon

Sharon & Steve BrennerBecky BrownDonna BrownsteinJeremy BurroughsBarbara & Barry CaplanJim & Mary CareyCarol & Sy ChestlerIlaine CohenGina ColeTracey ColemanCongregation Beth Israel Con-way Enterprise Services Catherine CookeKC CowanBarbara CrookeD.A. Davidson & Co.David & Susan DeckerBruce DirectorNikki & Stuart DirectorBarbara Durkheimer &

Gary LarsenEcumenical Ministries

of Oregon Marian Edwards Family

PartnershipElephant’s Delicatessen Cindy EvansBrian & Kathy FleenerFred Meyer, Inc. Gerald & Olivia FroebeJanet GallagherAlice GatesLesley & Bob GlasgowHerman GreenLynn GreenwoodGerry & Margo GreeveBonny GroshongWendy GutmannMargaret HassonHal Hendrix & Terri Warren

Kenneth & Jane HergenhanAnne & Jim HoltzThe Holzman Foundation Home Forward Cal & Sally HornLynn HydeLesley IsensteinFred JeibmannEllin & Fletcher JohnsonKristine & Robert JurgensonJudith & Garry KahnLeatrice KaplanJan & James KasameyerKelsey KekowDelores & Ken KimmelSusan Korey & Merritt LinnDavid & Jennifer

Director KnudsenAnn L. KramerSandy KurthKaren LabingerBarbara & Stuart LangLynn LangfeldCraig & Linda LangleyLegacy Health System Joyce & Stanley LoebRichard & Diane LowensohnCarey & Dan MacNaughtonLouise & Richard MarshCaryn MayPenni MellonToinette & Vic MenasheAlice & Paul MeyerJeff MillerSusan & Barney MilsteinRobert & Jane MorrowHelle NathanRobert & Carolyn NeighborJill & Dr. Ed NeuweltDavid & Marjorie NewmanJeanne NewmarkOnPoint Community

Credit Union The Parish of St. Mark Linda OstomelJeff PazdalskiSylvia & Gary PearlmanBarbara PrigohzyAbby Director QuinnShirley RacknerDave & Cheryl Richardson

Sharon & Jeff RichardsonLaurie & Bert RogowayAlan and Eve RosenfeldRosemarie RosenfeldSally RosenfeldJanis Rosenfeld-BarbashBetsy A. RussellRose RustinBunny & Jerry SadisLinda & Michael SalinskyRobert & Marilyn SchubergBarb & Jack SchwartzPatricia & Julius ScogginsSeams to Fit SELCO Community

Credit UnionJinny ShipmanSusan & Stuart ShleiferSt. Mary’s Cathedral St. Patrick Church Star Industrial Supply, Inc. Carla & Matthew Starrett-BiggEllen & Charles StearnsWilliam & Cornelia StevensBruce StradeKathy StradeNaomi StraussTerwilliger PlazaPeter & Suzanne Spitler

ThompsonAnthony & Christine ThurstonT. Robert TobiasCheryl TonkinBetty & Mark TrosethTony & Bianca UrdesKay Van PattenDeb VanCurenCarolyn VandersliceLinda & Larry VeltmanTerry WadePastor Melinda WagnerPam & Carl WalkerNorman & Suzan WapnickCarolyn & Gary WeinsteinJoe WelchThe Employees of

Wells Fargo BankJoella WerlinWestover Heights Clinic Ann WitsilJanet & Alan Zell

In honor of Kathy BussBarbara CrookeNikki & Stuart DirectorJoyce & Stanley LoebEllen & Charles Stearns

In honor of Nikki DirectorSandy & Barbara BernbaumBarbara & Barry CaplanCongregation Beth IsraelBarbara CrookeBruce DirectorDelores & Ken KimmelSusan Korey & Merritt LinnKaren LabingerBarbara & Stuart LangJoyce & Stanley LoebAlice & Paul MeyerLinda OstomelSusan & Stuart ShleiferCheryl TonkinLinda & Larry VeltmanNorman & Suzan Wapnick

In honor of Preston HoltEllin & Fletcher JohnsonToinette & Vic MenasheWilliam & Cornelia StevensPeter & Suzanne

Spitler ThompsonAnthony & Christine Thurston

In honor of Caryn MayBetty & Mark Troseth

In honor of Susan & Barney Milstein

Catherine Cooke

In honor of Hester NauStuart & Jacqueline Barthold

In honor of Alan & Eve Rosenfeld

Lynn LangfeldToinette & Vic MenasheJanis Rosenfeld-BarbashCarolyn & Gary WeinsteinJoella Werlin

In memory of Louise Marsh’s father

Nikki & Stuart Director

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fall 2014

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.

In-Kind DonationsAnonymousAntica Terra WineryArtists Repertory TheatreLinda AtencioCrystal BaileyBaker & Spice BakeryBergstrom WineryRosalie BetschardtJohn BrightBull Run Distilling Co.Chehalem WinesChild’s PlayCity LiquidatorsColumbia SportswearPaula CorbridgeCorePower YogaBarbara CrookeDave’s Killer BreadDarr DurhamNikki DirectorElixia Wellness GroupEllington Handbags

First Immanuel Lutheran Church

Howard & Evelyn FreedmanFriends of Chamber MusicBonny GroshongThe Clients of Hanu PilatesHavurah ShalomHeron Haus Bed

& Breakfast InnHiggins RestaurantHuckleberry PubJesuit High School AlumniBen JohnsonKristine JurgensonKenny & Zuke’s BagelworksLakeside BicyclesLinda LangleyJudith LienhardMarco’s CafeMary Jane’s House of GlassMcMenamins Pubs

& Breweries

Danielle MelansonThe Merlo Corp.Susan MilsteinSarah MiscoeMorel InkNorthwest Children’s

Theater & SchoolPaloma ClothingPizzacato PizzaPortland Columbia Symphony

OrchestraPortland Farmer’s MarketPortland Food ProjectPortland NurseryPortland TimbersRecologyThe Reserve Vineyards

& Golf ClubSafeway - PearlSalvador Molly’sSalvation Army,

White Shield Center

Josh SanzThe Schooner RestaurantLynda ShapiroSmith TeaworksSniff Dog HotelSojourn VenturesSouthland Whiskey KitchenSquires Electric, Inc.St. Mary’s CathedralStarbucks Coffee Co.Ellen StearnsSwitch ShoesTeSóAria WineryTimberline Lodge & Ski AreaTrader Joe’sTwistUrban GleanersTerri WarrenAnn WitsilWonders of WalkingZion Lutheran ChurchZ’ivo Wine

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.

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.

New Faces at Lift Urban PortlandK ATIE ASH Communications & Events Coordinator

ERIN GOLDWATER Program Manager

2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102Portland, OR 97210

www.LiftUrbanPortland.org

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Ways to Donate this Holiday Season

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.

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!

Include Lift Urban Portland in your estate

plan

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

GENEROUS DONOR

Bank Card

Last Will & Testament

PEANUT BUTTER

LiftUrbanPortland.org