Dear friend,

Safety is on everyone’s mind, and none more so than Lift UP’s Volunteer Manager, Abby Morris.

When Covid hit last March, it didn’t really come with an operations plan. “In the beginning, we didn’t have a lot of information about how the virus was spread or how dangerous it could be,” Abby remembers. “There aren’t a ton of support systems for volunteer management out there. We were pretty much on our own.”

Despite all the unknowns, Lift UP committed to stay open because we are a lifeline for so many clients. Staying open meant continuing to depend on volunteers, so Abby and the team got to work. With guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) the Lift UP team developed a series of strict protocols to keep both volunteers and clients safe and protected.

One of the best things about volunteering for Lift UP is that it is a pretty tight (yet socially distanced) community. Most of the “regulars” have volunteered with us for years, and many “first-timers” become quickly devoted.

For example, the volunteers at Preston’s Pantry are a close-knit team. They know each other well and have also gotten to know many of our clients. Because their work is essential, Lift UP and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) were able to get the team vaccinated.

With so many people struggling, food relief programs canceled, and volunteer programs collapsed, it warms Abby heart when she thinks of Lift UP’s volunteers. “Honestly, when we were at the height of the pandemic, and all the social injustices, this is what kept me hopeful. It's a privilege to give people the opportunity to support the community."

At Lift UP, we all feel pride and gratitude for our volunteer force. From those who stepped up to keep us going during the height of the pandemic, to those we are eager to welcome back when it is safe to return, we couldn’t do it without you!

Gratefully,

The Lift UP Team

With spring right around the corner, the Lift UP Annual Spring Food and Fund Drive will be here before you know it! Consider partnering with Lift UP to support our neighbors who face obstacles in obtaining the food they need to maintain healthy, happy lives.

For more information, contact Community Engagement Manager Brett at brett@lifturbanportland.org or 503-221-1224 ext. 106

Food brings us together.