Free Meals for Vets (not veterinarians, sorry)

Here is a link for over a HUNDRED restaurants that are serving free food for veterans on Veterans Day!

Olive Garden, Chili's, Red Robin, Starbucks, Applebees, Denny's, and MORE are offering free meals or other kinds of food.

I wonder how someone can hit all of them in one day....

Using Empty Land to Feed our Food Desert

On as little as three acres of land, ten thousand people can be fed!

"Will Allen is proving that city farms work -- big time. He’s not conjuring up theories; everything that he is teaching in cities across the country he learned over the course of 20 years with his hands in the dirt, a little money in his pocket and a survivalist’s smarts for innovating.

He grows food in ways that few have seen before -- and he grows it sustainably. Allen’s 3-acre farm sits in the poorest part of Milwaukee and now feeds 10,000 people a year. It brought him a MacArthur grant and his neighbors good, healthy eating. The story is in Allen’s book The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People and Communities."

Read more about this opportunity in this interview in The Splendid Table. 

Fresh Food for Schoolkids!

"While the U.S. celebrates National Farm to School Month in October, Oregon finds itself at the front of the line in supporting programs that provide healthy, nutritious, and locally-grown foods to children. With tremendous support from the Oregon Legislature, every school district in Oregon has an opportunity to be reimbursed for serving kids Oregon grown and processed foods. That is unprecedented among all states and fortifies Oregon’s standing as a national leader in the farm to school movement."

Encourage your schools to get farm-fresh food and get reimbursed!

Want to know more? Check out this article from Hood River News.

Rockwood Farmer's Market-- All Winter Long!

Starting in November, the Rockwood Farmers Market will be moving inside the Rockwood Building for a monthly indoor winter market!

The first market will be Friday, November 13th from 2-6 PM in the community room at the Rockwood Building, located at 124 NE 181st Ave (the corner of NE 181st and Couch St).

We will have a market there once a month on the second Friday of the month so November 13th, December 11th, January 8th and February 12th. We will still be at our current location for the October 23rd and October 30th farmers markets.

Don't forget that we are now matching $10 of SNAP EBT! We will also be giving away a free pound of apples, with the purchase of anything from one of our vendors.  

Harvest Share

Most of us know that fresh produce is necessary to have a healthy diet, but many of us can’t afford produce in the store.  However, the Oregon Food Bank is providing food for the low income so we can all have healthy food to eat.

In Gresham, here are places where low income folks can get free fresh produce:

Salvation Army Gresham

473 SE 194th Ave Portland OR 97233

1st Wednesday of every month

Opens at 9:30, first come first serve

(503) 282-0555

Rockwood Seventh Day Adventist

1910 SE 182nd Ave Portland OR 97233

4th Tuesday of every month

Opens at 9pm, participants receive a random number and wait their turn.

(503) 282-0555

Lynch Wood Elementary School Harvest Share

3615 SE 174th Ave Portland OR 97236

4th Friday of every month

Opens at 3pm.

(503) 762-7528

Free Hot Soup — Gresham

A new group has arrived in Gresham, and they are interested in providing soup to those who really need it.  This loosely organized group makes soup and gives it to people on the street as they are able.  Right now, they are serving food to the Clackamas Service Center (Sundays) and at Anawim Christian Community (Wednesdays).

If anyone is interested in cooking or transporting food with these folks, you can contact Raine at

Reetielee@gmail.com or you can join the Facebook group.

Garden Workshop

Check out this growing movement.

Updates and an Invitation from the Outgrowing Hunger and the Neighborhoods Community Garden View this email in your browser Make a donation via PayPal

Celebrate Spring with Outgrowing Hunger's 3rd Birthday Party and Garden Workshop! Your are invited to join us this Saturday May 31st, when we will be hosting a free garden workshop and celebration of Outgrowing Hunger's 3rd year of helping families to connect with fresh, affordable produce in their own neighborhoods. When: Saturday May 31st, 1pm - 5pm Where: Neighborhoods Community Garden, 835 SE 162nd Ave, Portland Who: All participants & supporters of Outgrowing Hunger projects, people who are interested in our work, people who live near any of our gardens, kids, families, foodies, food justice advocates, etc... Pets are not allowed in the garden itself. What: 9:00 - 12:30 Community Farm Session with Grow Portland- Work & Learn on the new 1/2 acre farm! 1:00pm Garden Tours & Networking 2:00pm Workshop: Natural Pest Control, Good Watering Practices, & Crop Timing 3:00pm Prepare Food Together & Learn a new recipe-  Wood-fired Pizzas, samosas & curry (Free, but donations are gladly accepted) 4:00pm - 5:00pm Eat, hang out, and finish with a birthday cake! For pictures our projects and previous events, visit our Facebook page. For more information about this event, contact me at 971-231-4191 Regards, Adam Kohl Executive Director

This project was made possible, in part, by the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement through the East Portland Neighborhood Small Grants Program, the East Portland Action Plan Grants Program, Portland BES CWSP Grants Program, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Providence Community Health, Lynwood Friends Church, Grow Portland, Recology / Nature's Needs, and the Detwiler Family Foundation. Copyright © 2014 Outgrowing Hunger, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have previously volunteered, participated in, or expressed interest in Outgrowing Hunger or one of our garden projects. Our mailing address is: Outgrowing Hunger 235 NE 56th Ave Portland, OR 97213 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Facebook Twitter Website

Portland Adventist Community Services

PACS exists for those who need help. It also exists for those wanting to help. Be it through financial support or volunteer work, PACS connects individuals who are seeking to make a difference with those who are experiencing need.
Following the example of Jesus, PACS puts a special emphasis on dignity in each area of service. The organization includes the following programs:


• Food Pantry (emergency food for low-income families)

• Health Clinic (primary health care for people with no insurance)

• Thrift Store (low-cost clothing & household items)

11020 NE Halsey Ave. Portland, OR 97220

503-252-8500

Hours: 9-11am M-F

Snow Cap

Snow Cap is a shopping-style pantry that provides food for families struggling along with other necessities like children's clothes or school supplies. They can also deliver food boxes. They also have a community garden open to some participants. For food boxes, there is a limit of six visits per year.

To see the requirements, look at this webpage: http://www.snowcap.org/NeedHelp.aspx

Their warehouse and office is behind the United Methodist Church:
17805 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97233

Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-2, Tues 10-5:30

503-674-8785

http://www.snowcap.org/

Assessment of Rockwood Food Issues

Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership is initiating and funding an assessment of the food needs of the Rockwood neighborhood.

"On a rainy night in late October, Jose Luis Hernandez Avalos and his wife, Marisela Hernandez, surveyed several residents at an apartment complex on Southeast Division Street and 177th Avenue. Several residents said they have to leave Rockwood for groceries, trekking to WinCo at Northeast 128th or the Food4Less on Powell and 82nd, sometimes via bus. Many said they would like to see a community garden or farmers market open in the neighborhood.
The neighborhood assessment team has completed 220 surveys and plans to get more community input via focus groups."
-The Oregonian http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2012/11/groups_sustain_food_justice_pa.html

If you or your congregation would like to participate in this assessment, please contact IFFP at 503-221-1054 at ext. 210 or ext. 214.

"IFFP launches grassroots projects across the state, including buying clubs, cooking classes, community gardens, farm stands, wellness assessments, community food assessments, policies and advocacy in collaboration with diverse faith and community groups. We equip and mobilize faith and community action for food justice and promote dialogue on food issues."

Rockwood Community Food Justice

UPDATED 6/13/14

Are you in Rockwood and struggle with being able to feed your family? Do you want to bring food justice to Gresham? This group talks about practical solutions for neighbors in Rockwood who are struggling with obtaining food at a fair cost.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Margarita Plascencia at 503-810-1496 or Mary Priem at mkpriem@yahoo.com.

Rockwood Community Food Assessment

You've heard us say it before: Rockwood in Gresham is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the greater Portland area.  And with that poverty comes hunger.  Food issues in Rockwood are a major growing concern.

Are you concerned about the availability and distribution of food in Gresham?  Do you belong to a congregation and you see the need but aren't sure what to do about it?  Then please join us at the Rockwood Community Food Assessment.

It will be held Friday November 16 from 3 to 4:30at the Rockwood First United Methodist Church, 17805 SE Stark St., Gresham.  We will discuss what different congregations understand to be food issues, the results of a 230 person survey of the neighborhood, and discussions of what can be done to help. 

If you are interested in coming, please RSVP by calling 503-221-1054 ext. 210.

Community Gardens Workshop

The interest in and need for community gardens continues to grow. Congregations and other non-profits often have significant areas of land that could be used to enable neighbors to garden who lack land or who want to benefit from the social interaction and opportunities for learning that community gardens provide. Community gardens are also important to fighting hunger and improving nutrition. This workshop provides education, resources, and connections to help congregations and community members create and maintain community gardens that produce multiple benefits.

Come learn what it takes to create, expand or renew a community garden that will build connections with your community, reduce hunger and steward creation. Speakers include Leslie Pohl-Kosbau of Shared Gardens and former director of Portland Community Gardens; representatives of community gardens; and representatives of agencies that provide assistance. Learn about the successes and challenges of community gardens, partnering with other organizations and ensuring sustainability over the long-run.

The workshop will be Monday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. It will be held at 19255 NE Burnside in Gresham near the Rockwood (188th) Max Stop. 

The workshop is free but donations are welcome to support the work (suggested $5 to $15). To register, call (503) 221-1054 or send an e-mail tockelly@emoregon.org. Details are available at www.emoregon.org.

17th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The Blazers are serving their 17th annual Thanksgiving meal at the Rose Quarter, on Oct 29 from 2 to 7pm. 

They will have a free Thanksgiving meal, free haircuts, free pet care and free leftovers to take with you!

Harvest Share in Gresham

The Harvest Share program is based out of the Oregon Food Bank and provides free and ample produce to the poor.  In East Multnomah County, there are two main locations for Harvest Share: the Rockwood Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Salvation Army, Gresham Corps.  






Here is a description of the Harvest Share program by the Salvation Army:

They come from all walks of life, some who are coming for their first time and some who have been coming for more than 8 years. They come for comradery, for conversation, a warm smile, and of course, their food. The first Wednesday of every month, the family services at The Salvation Army Gresham Corps puts together a Harvest Share program where those struggling financially and in need of food can come and receive food. Harvest Share is actually a service sponsored by Oregon Food Bank and their Fresh Alliance program where fresh produce from local stores is donated and provided to the participating agencies. In addition to the fresh produce like meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit, Salvation Army workers and volunteers gather donated non-perishable food items throughout the course of the month to add to the selection. 

Please read the whole article on the Salvation Army site.

Participate in the Harvest Share program at 

Rockwood Seventh Day Adventist

1910 SE 182nd Ave Gresham

9am 4th Tuesday of every month

       First come first serve

Salvation Army Gresham Corps

473 SE 194th Ave Gresham

9:30am  1st Wednesday of every month

       First come first serve

Free Summer Meals For Kids

Looking to stretch your food budget and find fun activities for your children this summer? Oregon kids and teens (ages 1 - 18) get free summer meals and fun at these locations in East Multnomah County.

Click here for locations: Oregon Summer Meal Sites 2012: Gresham

Outgrowing Hunger

Imagine your community with these characteristics:  Complete justice, good relationships between neighbors, creation at peace,  good relationship with God,  and abundance for all.  Sound good?  Christians call that, the Kingdom of God, and we just see glimpses of it now and then.  We may not see it in this life completely, but one small step toward this, is community gardens.

 A community garden is 10 percent garden and 90 percent community.

Everyone should be able to walk to their source of food; there is enough vacant space (especially in church backyards) that every low income apartment should be able to walk to a garden.

If you are thinking: How can I get involved?  Here’s what you can do:

1. Go to the Community Garden Open House Celebration! 

      Saturday, May 12th      

      10am - 1pm 

      600 NE 8th St. Gresham

2. If you want to be a part of a garden community, or if you want to help form a community garden in your community,  contact Adam Kohl  971-231-4191;       adam@outgrowinghunger.org

3. If you want to join Outgrowing Hunger's mailing list or begin a community garden in your community, Adam Kohl will  help at, www.outgrowinghunger.org

Community Gardens!

Yes, it is spring!

A time for planting, a time for growing, a time for color

It is the time of year that many of us itch to get dirty and get gardens started

Is it possible we can take our green thumbs  (no matter how pale) and use them to assist our whole community?  Can we feed the poor,  connect with new friends and have fun?  YES!

Join the KEY group as we invite Adam Kohl, Community Garden Manager of Gresham to speak to us about his plan to fill East County with community gardens for the benefit of everyone, especially to feed the hungry of our communities!

When: April 30 7-8pm

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church

  507 West Powell Gresham

Food Desert

Did you know that from 122nd through 180th, between Glisan and Stark, there are no supermarkets or large grocery stores? Rockwood and the west side of Gresham are known to be  the poorest neighborhoods in East county, and there is not close access to affordable food. This area has become known as a "Food Desert".

There are 2 separate meetings being held to discuss and find a solution to this problem.
If you are interested in learning more or helping, please contact Craig Lemay at, craiglemay@gmail.com

Snow Cap Facts

Snow Cap

• brings together people who have, with people who have-not.
• encourages work and self sufficiency as a means of strengthening families.
• supports the family dinner hour, providing groceries so that families may cook meals at home.
• is an natural outgrowth of the neighborliness that made for quilting bees, barn raisings, and gathering food and clothes to meet basic needs of less fortunate neighbors.

Major Programs

Food Pantry: Provides nutritious food boxes for area clients from 10 to 2, Monday through Friday and until 5:30 on Tuesday. Clients can shop for food twelve times in a calender year. Over 4000 people receive food from this pantry each month.

Community Basket: Low-income families can join in this program for a yearly membership fee of $15.00. This gives each of the 140 participating families a monthly box of assorted food and cleaning items, a newsletter about stategies for stretching limited budgets, and free coupons.

Children's Clothes Closet: Children in the 8th grade and under can select needed clothing for free throughout the year. This Fall, 1000 children were outfitted with new or used clothing and school supplies to start the school year.

Please Help!

Volunteer Your Time: There is an ongoing need for people to pack food boxes, sort clothes, drive the truck, interview clients, answer phones or do other office work. Special skills like grant writing, computer management and maintenance, and committee work are also needed.

Donate Food and Clothes: These items can be brought to 17788 SE Pine from 9-3p.m., Monday-Friday. Baby food, formula and children's clothes are always in short supply.

Contact Information

SnowCap

PO Box 160

Fairview, OR 97024-0160

Phone: 503-674-8785

Fax: 503-674-5355

Web Site: www.snowcap.org

Email: info@snowcap.org