Agency: Potluck in the Park

Description:

Join a group of volunteers on a done-in-a-day project led by a Hands On Greater Portland project leader. No advance training or ongoing commitment required, so sign up and participate in a project that fits your schedule. Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

Potluck has been serving a free hot meal to anyone in need since 1991. Rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, we provide a hot meal, every Sunday, at O'Bryant Square in downtown Portland. Come on down and lend a hand this Sunday!

Each Sunday, O'Bryant Square, a public park, becomes a community of those wishing to serve anyone in need. Volunteers should sign-in at the Check-in Table at 2:00pm. Set up begins at 2:30pm and the meal service starts at 3:00pm. By 4:30pm, we wind down the meal service and breakdown and clean up of the site begins (some heavy lifting is involved in this stage, but there are always tasks to be done that don't require strong arms and backs).

When there is unfavorable weather we move to the parking garage which enters on the Stark Street side of O'Bryant Square; look for a large sign directing you downstairs.

Potluck in the Park is one of the only weekend meal services available for anyone experiencing hunger. Four hundred to six hundred Portlanders do not go hungry on Sunday because of Potluck in the Park. Food is donated by individuals, businesses, organizations and religious institutions of all faiths. Supplemental donations are gathered on a weekly basis from area grocers, wholesalers, hotels, restaurant owners and caterers. We are an all-volunteer, grass roots, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization with no paid staff or office location. Our  budget goes directly to the people who need it, people who otherwise might not receive a meal. We accomplish our mission of providing nutritious food and an atmosphere of community to anyone in need, because of you and others like you

This project is great for families with kids ages 12 and older. Youth under 16 must attend with a parent/adult chaperone. Volunteers under age 18 will need to bring a waiver signed by a Parent/Guardian; please click on the link below to download: Youth Volunteer Release Form

Impact Areas: Homelessness/Hunger, Other

Interests: The interests recommended for this project are:
Hunger, Homelessness, Diversity, Advocacy

Skills: The skills helpful for participation in this project are:
Working with People