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. 

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.

Blessings for Mid-County

Many people have driven by Blessings and said, "Oh, that's the store that's the same as Christian Supply."  Yes, they sell Bibles and Christian gifts, but they are also interested in meeting the needs of Mid-County!

Below the store there is a thrift store that sells gifts and clothes for down-to-earth prices.  A dollar for a t-shirt! Three dollars for a pair of pants!  And if you come in on a Tuesday, they have their stock at 50 percent off!

Also, they have a heart for the homeless in Mid-County.  They are seeking donations of blankets, sleeping bags, socks and meals-in-a-can (chili, ravioli, ready-to-eat soup, etc) which can be handed out to the homeless in their area.  These people really care about people in need!

NOT ONLY THAT!  But Nehemiah Project is establishing a food pantry for needy families.  It hasn't opened yet, but when it does, a family who can pay twenty dollars a month can receive more than a hundred dollars in groceries.  They are signing up now.  Food for the pantry can be dropped off at a barrel in the store.

Blessings is located at 10209 SE Division Ave., Portland.  If you'd like more information, please call them at 503-256-8000.   Check out their website here.

Store Hours are: 10:00 AM- 7:00PM Monday-Friday
                      10:00AM- 6:00PM on Saturday, closed on Sunday.

Thrift store hours are different, please call. 

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