A traditional meal will be served to-go on Thanksgiving Day.
Portland Rescue Mission started in 1949. Over 70 years later, it’s still known for compassionate care to homeless men, women, and children. The nonprofit has 4 different locations and also provides long-term recovery care.
US Bank Corp volunteers assemble snack bags at Union Gospel Mission of Portland
Other Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities:
Blanchet House does not serve meals on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day so that its shelter residents who help to prepare and serve meals can enjoy a day of rest. The nonprofit has volunteer opportunities that you can do from home on Thanksgiving. See below.
From Blanchet House:
You can volunteer from home by doing one of the following meaningful activities.
Make Sack Lunches
Prepare 10-100 sack lunches and drop them off at Blanchet House. Review our Sack Lunch How-To for the details.
Donations can be dropped off Mon-Sat*, at 310 NW Glisan St. from 8 – 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 4 p.m. *We are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.Â
Pull up to our entrance, knock on the door to get our attention, and a staff member will retrieve your donation from the car. If you’d like a donation receipt, we can provide one. You can also call us at 503-241-4340 or email [email protected].
If you would like to volunteer on-site at Blanchet House on a day that is not a holiday sign up here. Blanchet House is open Mon-Sat, except for New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are open all other holidays.
Portland, OR. Nearly 2,000 people filled New Hope Church in Happy Valley, Oregon, on November 23rd. The community came together for a free concert supporting local community aid organizations. Adventist Health Portland presented its annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert as an expression of gratitude for the community’s faith and support.  Adventist Health Portland includes Adventist Health Portland Medical Center in southeast Portland, a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Clinically integrated with OHSU, Adventist Health Medical Group represents more than 100 primary care and specialty physicians who treat and admit their patients to Adventist Medical Center. Pictured above are people sorting out the generous food donations.
Dr. Terry Johnsson
Matt Maher performs for the crowd
The event opened with performances by a praise band made up of Adventist Health employees, including Joyce Newmyer, Adventist Health Pacific Northwest Region president. Headliner and contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher took the stage, Maher has written and produced nine solo albums and penned many well-known praise and worship songs.
People enjoying the concert
Joyce Newmyer, president of Adventist Health, shares a message of thanks with guests at the 11th annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert.
Collecting socks for Portland Rescue Mission
Young folks donating food
This year’s guests contributed 1,900 pounds of food for Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) and more than 3,000 pairs of socks for the Portland Rescue Mission in place of admission for the concert. The celebration of Thanksgiving has raised more than 12 tons of nonperishable food donations since its inception in 2009. More than 10,000 pairs of socks have been donated since this emphasis was added in 2016. Previous performers include Phillips, Craig and Dean; Point of Grace; Rebecca St. James; Selah; and Sandi Patty.
From Adventist Health:
Adventist Health services in Portland are part of Adventist Health a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Our compassionate and talented team of 33,300 includes more than 24,600 employees; 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 3,700 volunteers working together in pursuit of one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in 19 hospitals, more than 280 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 13 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies, and four joint-venture retirement centers.
From The Portland Rescue Mission:
The Portland Rescue Mission has had a tireless commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction and despair in the lives of hurting people in need. We offer emergency services of food and shelter at our original downtown location at the Burnside Shelter. And we’ve expanded those services to include 24/7 restrooms, showers, clothing, mail service, referrals and community activities in the Guest Care Center.Thanks to generous community support, we’ve expanded our ministry to include a wide range of programs designed to meet a hurting person at their point of need and help them toward their journey home. This includes our 3-month Connect program for men and women, and our New Life Ministries for men and women at The Harbor and Shepherd’s Door, respectively. Portland Rescue Mission also includes our Drive Away Hunger car sales and donations program and Mission Bar-B-Que catering. Proceeds support all of our programs to give hope and restore life to hurting people.
Portland, OR. Adventist Health hosted its 8th annual community Thanksgiving concert on Nov 19th at New Hope Community Church. Rob Anderson from Portland Rescue Mission joined Dr. Terry Johnsson, the Executive Director of Mission Integration at Adventist Health and David Russell,  CEO, of Adventist Health. The “Celebration of Thanksgiving” featured Laura Story, three-time Dove Award and GRAMMY winner. The concert is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item or socks. Adventist Health collected nearly 3,500 pounds of food for the Oregon Food bank and more than 2,800 pairs of socks for the Portland Rescue Mission. According to the Portland Rescue mission socks are one of the most requested items for the homeless.
GRAMMY winner Laura Story performs at New Hope Community Church.
3,500 pounds of food was donated to Oregon Food Bank.
A mountain of socks was given to the Portland Rescue Mission.
Donations were packed and ready to go.
About Portland Rescue Mission
Formed in 1949, Portland Rescue Mission serves men, women and children in need. We give hope through meals, rest and safety, and restore life through recovery, training and community. Our Mission is a faith-based nonprofit supported by 30,000 dedicated donors and 3,000 caring volunteers, working in close coordination with other public and private resources, and churches of many denominations. Our recovery programs restore life for a majority of those who complete them. More information is at www.portlandrescuemisson.org.
About Oregon Food Bank
With sufficient public will and support of the entire community, we believe it is possible to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Oregon Food Bank collects and distributes food through a network of four Oregon Food Bank branches and 17 regional food banks serving Oregon and Clark County, Washington. The Oregon Food Bank Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger. Oregon Food Bank also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, garden education, and helping communities strengthen local food systems. Visit oregonfoodbank.org for more information.
About Adventist Health
Adventist Health—Portland is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care network consisting of a 302-bed medical center, 34 medical clinics and home care and hospice services in the Portland metro area. Our full-service acute care medical center provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and diagnostic services to communities on the eastside. Our key services include cardiovascular care, emergency services, orthopedics, radiation oncology, behavioral health, surgery, imaging, rehabilitation and women’s health.
Portland, January 8th, 2016. With temperatures dipping ten degrees below average at the start of January, social services agencies were working overtime to meet the needs of homeless people. Portland Rescue Mission answered the call as did dozens of other shelters.
Here’s a look at the current status of care for the homeless in our area:
The City of Portland and Multnomah County fund year-round, winter and severe weather emergency shelter. There are also privately-funded organizations that provide shelter services. There are 611 emergency shelter beds available year-round. Winter shelter is available from November 1-March 31. Approximately 297 additional beds are available during the winter season for men, women, and families.
Severe weather emergency shelter is also available when the City declares a Severe Weather Notice, based on temperature/wind chill at 25°F or less, or other life-threatening weather conditions. When severe weather is declared, up to 150 additional beds may be made available.
For updated information on winter and Severe Weather Services, call 2-1-1 or go to: http://www.211info.org/
Portland Homeless Family Solutions is able to help 500 grateful people each year.
Portland Homeless Family Solutions’ (PHFS) is one of the local nonprofits serving the homeless community. Its mission is to provide temporary, emergency shelter to homeless families with children; to give access to transitional resources and teach life skills to help families find permanent housing and stay there long-term; and to advocate for the alleviation of family homelessness.
In Vancouver, Open House Ministries serves hundreds and volunteers stay busy with winter activities like coat drives for the homeless.
Donations for items to fight the cold are collected by many organizations including the Portland Rescue Mission on Burnside. Here’s what administrators are asking for now:
During the cold, rainy and sometimes icy winter months, many men and women experiencing homelessness come to the Portland Rescue Mission looking for items that can get them through a very difficult time of year weather-wise.
The items in greatest demand during Oregon’s difficult winter months are gloves, coats, warm hats, socks, shoes, blankets, sweatshirts, underwear and jeans. Portland Rescue Mission blanket exchange program, in particular, allows our guests to give us their blankets to wash and, in return, we give them a new (but used) clean one. This not only extends the life of donated blankets, but it helps make sure every man or woman gets a quality blanket when they need it most.Donations can be dropped off at our Burnside Shelter at 111 W Burnside St., Portland, OR 97209 at any time. The lobby and front desk is open 24 hours a day along with available restrooms for the guests who come to us looking for help. More details at PortlandRescueMission.org/DonateItems.
A website with information about many local organizations serving the homeless community is called
the Homeless Shelter Directory. Below are blurbs that service providers have upload with their contact information.
Portland, OR 97204
503-239-1259
Short-term case management and transitional housing for veterans. Accepts men, women, and families for up to 9 months for veterans that qualify with TB card.
Portland, OR 97209
503-823-4930
Transition Projects provides people with the resources and tools they need to end their homelessness and maintain housing. Helping people meet their basic needs-shelter, clothing, food, cleanliness-is the bedrock of what we do.
Portland, OR 97209
503-227-0810
Day Access service 7 a.m.-11 p.m. 7/week.
Emergency shelter for women. No men or children allowed on site. 30-90 day program, but extensions available if you have an active housing plan. Low barrier shelter. 50 beds. Showers, laundry, lockers, case management, and housing assistance.
Portland, OR 97205
503-535-3266
Crisis Line: 503-535-3269
Mission & Services
The YWCA of Greater Portland strives to eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms and provides growth, education and leadership opportunities for women and families.
Portland, OR 97201
503-595-9390
The Goose Hollow Family Shelter is a night shelter for 8 homeless families with children. Families are able to stay at the shelter for about 30-60 days. Goose Hollow is open from 6:30pm until 7:30am each night of the year.
Portland, OR 97217
503-281-2442
The mission of Bradley Angle is to offer survivors of domestic and sexual violence options for safety, empowerment, healing and hope, while collaborating with our communities to create social change.
Milwaukie, OR 97222 5.71 miles from city center Portland
(503) 655-8575
The Annie Ross House family shelter.
The Annie Ross House helps families move from the crisis of homelessness to stable and secure lives in permanent and affordable homes. To meet this objective, Annie Ross program participants receive access to housing enriched with case management.
Vancouver, WA 98661 8.26 miles from city center Portland
(360)993-9561
Referrals Advocacy Outreach Services.
Assistance may include temporary emergency shelter, short-term rental assistance to help people get back into housing, or rental assistance and supportive services for people with additional needs.
Tigard, OR 97223 8.86 miles from city center Portland
(503) 443-6084
Good Neighbor Center is more than a place for families to sleep and eat. It is a place where families are transformed and become self sufficient once more. During their six-week stay at the shelter,families navigate the resources to assistance and finding jobs.
Vancouver, WA 98662 9.43 miles from city center Portland
360-980-3973
We now have two transitional faith based homes for homeless women and children. We are centrally located and each home has six beds. We have shared and single rooms.
Oregon City, OR 97045 11.56 miles from city center Portland
503-722-2366
Crisis: 503-654-2288 or toll free 888-654-2288
(open 24 hours a day)
Office 503-722-2366
Incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s only shelter for women & children escaping family violence, CWS has safely harbored over 7,000 women & children.
Gresham, OR 97030 12.12 miles from city center Portland
(503) 492-3046
My Father’s House Community Shelter is a family shelter located in East Multnomah County, Oregon. We provide a safe environment for 30 families, a place families can stay together as they address their spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational issues and needs.
Hillsboro, OR 97214 15.96 miles from city center Portland
(503) 648-6646
The Community Action Family Shelter offers twenty beds with space for five families, and is managed by the Housing and Homeless Services Team at Community Action. Although it is referred to as a shelter, it is actually a Housing Program. Families are able to stay for up to five weeks.
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