Food Pantry

Lift Urban Portland runs a Food Pantry in association with the Oregon Food Bank network of providers.

Location: First Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1808 NW Irving Street

Service Area

Food Pantry Hours:

Every Tuesday and Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for Harvest Share Day (free produce distribution)

Participants must be within eligible income guidelines (Maximum $1607 per month for a one-person household as of January 2009) and live at a NW address, or in the triangle bounded by West Burnside, SW 10th & SW Taylor. In 2008 we converted our operation to a “choice-based model,” which means that recipients choose what they need within designated limits instead of being given a pre-packaged food box. Research has shown that when food pantries 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.

Participants may “shop” once each month and select from canned goods, pasta, meats, and much more. No one is turned away the first time he or she requests assistance.

Expanded Nutrition Program

Due to the high level of need, generous support from donors, and the great efforts from our caring community of volunteers, Lift Urban Portland has been able to expand the distribution of much-needed food.

• The Food for Kids Backpack Program serves those most in need at Chapman Elementary School.
• In partnership with Lift Urban Portland, five low-income high rise buildings in the area offer an on-site “end of the month mini-pantry” when the need is greatest. Residents can select a few items from a mini-pantry to tide them over until they can get a full box from our pantry, get a box delivered if eligible, or until the first of the month when they receive funds.
• On the second Wednesday of each month we distribute fresh produce via the Oregon Food Bank’s Harvest Share program. Income and geographic eligibility differ from our Food Pantry requirements.
• Based on the motto of “waste not, want not” the Lift Urban Portland Community Share program helps get perishable items distributed at various locations in the area.

Because we know that there are service gaps for our neighbors, we are working to expand access to food when volunteer and staff time allow. Some neighbors are in poor health, cannot navigate the stairs at the Lift Urban Portland Food Pantry, or cannot carry groceries home on their own. When we can, we deliver food boxes or arrange for temporary “portable pantries” to be set up in the lobbies of buildings where there is a clear unmet need.

These expanded services are made possible by a donation of warehouse space from Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. With this space we can prepare food boxes and backpacks for distribution and organize and host larger-scale food drives to serve the nutrition programs. Monthly work parties and food box distribution happen on the fourth (or last) Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lift UP Food Warehouse. Please let us know if you’d like to help out either by volunteering, or by donating food or money. Call 503-221-1224 or e-mail info@LiftUrbanPortland.org.