This month we welcomed Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici on a tour to support SW Hope and the Free Food Pantry. We're introducing a whole new Transportation Department, save the date for Welcome Home, Women's History Month events and more!

We were pleased to welcome Congresswoman Bonamici for a tour of two of our programs.

She talked with Food Market staff about the alarming trends for families who need food assistance and saw food boxes being prepared for delivery. Then she met with members of the Senior Center line dancing class and had a broad-ranging conversation about everything from ageism to the war in Ukraine to worries about the effects of social media on young people.

From the Feb. 29 Bonamici Bulletin:

"Neighborhood House does great work, and I had the opportunity to visit with them in Multnomah Village and learn more about some of their programs.

First, we visited the Free Food Market. The staff and volunteers provide a wide variety of groceries to community members, but the need outstrips the current space.

I also met with some line dancers at a class at the Neighborhood House senior center!  Classes like this help promote exercise and coordination and provide a space for people to socialize. I’ll continue to look for ways to support Neighborhood House and the Oregonians they serve."

Hunger assistance skyrocketed in 2023 as families across Portland experienced major cuts to federal assistance measures like SNAP benefits and child tax credits at the same time costs for food and housing increased significantly.

At the Free Food Market, we're serving five times the number of people who needed help before the pandemic. More than 200 new applications for food help come in every month.

Times are beyond tough.

We're keeping up with the demand - barely - but we need your help.

You can make a difference by participating in any of the SW Hope events - Empty Bowls, Dine Out to Donate or the 5K - or by simply donating funds or food.

Dine out to Donate Nights

There are three more chances to Dine Out to Donate next week! Enjoy a meal at any of these fine local restaurants, and 10% of your meal price will be donated to SW Hope. Get a group together and make a night of it!

March 11th: Yalla

March 12th: Dolly Olive

March 13th: Icarus

new addition! March 19: Salvador Molly’s

Empty Bowls

Saturday, March 16, 11am-1pm at 8959 SW Barbur Blvd (Neighborhood House’s new home)

The ever-popular Empty Bowls event is coming up soon on March 16. Talented Portland artisans have hand-crafted beautiful bowls to couple with homemade soup from area restaurants like Otto & Annie's, Down to Earth Cafe, Seasons & Regions and Casa Comida. Reserve your soup and bowl today. You’ll also be able to check out the building that will be our new home in 2025!

SW HOPE 5K

Saturday, April 6 – Oregon Episcopal School

Kids’ Run – 10am | Adult Run – 10:30am  If we run together, our neighbors here in SW Portland won’t have to experience the insecurity of not knowing where their next meal is coming from. Almost 300 people join together to run or walk, raise funds and fight food insecurity in our community. 

5K Registration is now open! Click HERE to register

Join SW Hope today to keep the spirit of generosity flowing.

West Hills Friends joined SW Hope again this year because of their concern for the unseen need in SW Portland rising.

Food boxes lined up to be prepped for delivery to neighbors who live in the Stephens Creek Crossing housing complex.

The Free Food Market is run on volunteer power. More than 400 people give thousands of hours each year to pick up donations, stock shelves, assist shoppers, pack food boxes, sweep the floor, and more.

Sue and Casey Haas are a mother-son team who have been volunteering at the Food Market every week for the past 6 months and have no plans to stop any time soon.

The Haas family has lived in SW Portland for years, and the effect of the market on the community is a big reason why they began and continue to volunteer for Neighborhood House.

Sue said “we live two minutes away from here, so there’s a visible impact we can make directly on our immediate community.”

The Senior Services program is thrilled to have two new staff to help older adults and people with disabilities who need transportation to vital medical appointments, shopping and fun field trips around the area.

For more information about the Transportation program and a list of upcoming trips, see the Senior Center newsletter.

Please join us in welcoming Sam and Eric!

Transportation Coordinator Sam Goodman

Hi, I’m Samantha Goodman! I’m originally from Baltimore and have lived on the west coast for over a decade. I enjoy hiking with my dog “Pickles” and trying new cuisines at Portland area restaurants!

Bus Driver Eric Duckett

Hi, I’m Eric. I grew up in New England. After college I struck out West working with the National Park Service and US Forest Service. I’ve also been a guide all over North America and traveled on my own. Tell me about your favorite places in Oregon or other places you’ve traveled. I look forward to exploring the area with you!

“This is my first time working for an organization that offers so much support, not just to children and their families but to the staff and educators.”

- Megan Dubane, Education & Development Manager for the Head Start program, where she oversees all educational components and staff development.

The Neighborhood House Free Food Market is proud to partner with The Pongo Fund, Oregon’s only full-time charity focused on fighting animal hunger. Their generous donations help ensure community pets and pet parents have access to high-quality dog and cat food.