Fundraising for the Woodstock Pantry Container

Dear Parishioners,

In December we asked you to help us raise $10,000 towards a shipping container that would house the Woodstock Food Pantry on the north side of our property. With your generosity and that of people in our neighborhood, we raised over $14,000. I was blown away by the response. I have also been moved by the way people in the neighborhood have embraced the Pantry, and how it is becoming a significant channel for people becoming involved and interested in our church. All of this is confirmation that we are moving in the right direction.

Initially, we were anticipating that a matching capital grant would come through the Oregon Food Bank. With the recent demand they have had on resources, this support is uncertain. Additionally, in further research and work with an architect, we have learned that the cost of a long-term, sustainable space that can properly store food is closer to $25,000 to $30,000, about $5,000 to $10,000 more than was budgeted for.

In the next few weeks, I am going to be reaching out to the wider neighborhood to help us raise the rest of the money. I do not see these fundraising efforts as something our parish can or should carry alone. But, if you would like to make a gift to help us cross the finish line, I can’t think of a more worthy place. If you are interested in making a special Easter donation, or have a portion of stimulus money or a tax refund you’d like to give, please consider this special project.

Jesus called us to feed the hungry in our midst and said that whenever we do it to the “least of these” we do it for him. Together we can answer his call and eliminate food insecurity in our neighborhood.

In peace,

The Rev. Andria Skornik

Pantry donations can be made online (choose "Give to Woodstock Pantry Fund" in the first dropdown) or mailed to 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97202 noting "pantry" in the memo line.