Neighborhood House through the Head Start program is stepping into a huge role to help. They will be providing lunches to all children 0-18 (roughly 200) at Stephen’s Creek Crossing as well as several other groups they support. They will be providing food boxes to families who have children in the Head start program.
At this time we are still planning to reach out to Hayhurst/Odyssey/Ainsworth families if the closures are extended past April 1 and we will do our best to roll out food bags then. We will reach of when we know what our needs are there.
If you are interested in helping Neighborhood House below is their list of needs. I am so grateful to be a part of a community who is asking how can I help during this really hard time.
Neighborhood House Needs at This Time
For direct donations of goods, Our programs could use donations for diapers (size 4, 5, 6), wipes, baby food, basic food staples, (rice, beans, lentils, tomato sauce and canned tomatoes, as well as fresh and frozen fruits and veggies), paper plates, paper lunch bags, castile soap, and seventh generation dish soap, 0-6 year puzzles, memory games, board games, books for kids, activity books, and non-toxic art supplies.
Direct donations of money, individuals can do it a couple of different ways. If they don’t need the write off on their taxes, they can donate cash and gift cards to local stores, directly to our program. If they are looking for the write off, they will have to donate by check, through Neighborhood House. PLEASE write on the memo of the check or in a separate letter that the full amount of the check is to go directly to Family and Nutrition Services at Head Start, Early Head Start, and Preschool Promise.
I ask that if individuals would like to donate any of the above things, to please donate during the drop off times I have set up. People are welcome to donate on Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30am – 12:30pm. Donations can be dropped off at 6650 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland OR 97219 (The Neighborhood House Children’s Center on the corner of SW 26th AVE and Capitol HWY). Individuals can call me at 503.354.6783 for assistance when they arrive with donations.
Additionally, other programs of Neighborhood House are in need of volunteers.
The Senior Center, located at the Multnomah Arts Center has closed. They may need volunteers to call and check-in on those seniors that regularly socialize at the center. Also those seniors might be needing rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Please contact Nancy Burke at nburke@nhpdx.orgor 503.244.5204, she is the program director for the Senior Center.
Jim, the food pantry coordinator may be in need of volunteers to help assemble food boxes. Please contact him at jcooper@nhpdx.org