[Posted Tuesday, February 22, 2022]
The annual SW HOPE Community Food Drive will kick off February 28 to raise food and funds for the Neighborhood House Food Pantry. The drive aims to replenish the food pantry at a time of year when donations typically decline.
Now in its 16th year, the event aims to raise $70,000 (or the equivalent of 280,000 pounds of food) for the pantry, which provides food to more than 1,400 people each month. Contributions to the food pantry allow recipients to focus on paying rent, buying medicine, and other necessities. Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of food-insecure households in Oregon has grown to nearly 1 in 4.
The SW HOPE food drive was established in 2007 by local faith communities and has grown to include over 40 faith, business, and community partners. Faith communities continue to play an essential role in the campaign, with churches including St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and Missio Church planning and executing many of SW HOPE’s largest events (find a full list of partners here).
This six-week campaign features family-friendly community events and fundraisers. For the first time, Oregon Episcopal School will host the annual SW HOPE 5K, the largest event of the campaign. This year’s run/walk will be held on April 9 and can be completed in-person or virtually.
Learn more about SW HOPE events or give online now at www.nhpdx.org/sw-hope.
Neighborhood House invites you to support SW HOPE by attending these events:
Live Music at First Friday
Friday, March 4, 4:30-6:30pm, outside Neighborhood House (7780 SW Capitol Hwy.): Kickoff SW HOPE with live music from local band Any Dog’s Day
“Dine out to Donate” Nights (10% of all proceeds on these dates go towards SW HOPE)
Tuesday, March 1: Yalla
Monday, March 7: Mediterranean Exploration Company
Monday, March 14: Lil’ Shalom
Wednesday, March 23: Salvador Molly’s
Monday, March 28: Shalom Y’all
Empty Bowls
Friday, April 1, 5-7pm, outside Neighborhood House (7780 SW Capitol Hwy.):
Support SW HOPE and purchase a hand-crafted bowl and donated soup from local restaurants. Soup and bowl purchases will be available online.
SW Hills Kiwanis Food & Cash Drive
Saturday, April 2, 10am-2pm outside the Neighborhood House Food Pantry (3445 SW Moss St.)
SW HOPE 5K
Saturday, April 9, 10am-12pm. Oregon Episcopal School (plus virtual option): Neighborhood House will receive a $2,500 matching donation if 200 people register for the SW HOPE 5K; an additional $2,500 will be unlocked if 250 people sign up, for a total of $5,000 if 250 people participate. Register here.
—Valeurie Friedman
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