Dear Lift UP Supporter,

Now that Fall has arrived, it feels like the end of the year is just around the corner. It's astounding to reflect on how much our world has changed in 2020. When I joined Lift UP in May, I was impressed by the ways our team had adapted to keep operating during the pandemic. Preston's Pantry was already operating outdoors to reduce the risks of transmission of COVID-19. Clients and housing partners stepped up to help us distribute Delivered Food Boxes to people unable to make it to the pantry. Lift UP volunteers stayed focused on feeding our neighbors, not allowing masks or social distancing to keep them from advancing our mission to reduce hunger and build community.

You have been there for us too, friend. You stepped up for the first time to show your support when we needed it most. Your response to the challenges our community is facing in 2020 was to ask a simple, but meaningful question: "How can I make a difference?"  Thank you for choosing to support Lift UP. As the rate of hunger skyrockets in Oregon, your donations have helped us continue to provide abundant, nutritious food to our neighbors. Thank you for making it possible for Lift UP to keep going, and to stay strong for the people who rely on us.  

Food is essential, but hunger persists. According to the Census Household Pulse Survey, since the pandemic began, food insecurity has doubled overall, and tripled among households with children. The report also revealed that communities of color are experiencing hunger at higher rates than their white neighbors. One of the authors of that report, IPR director Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, said that she was "confident" that this pattern of rising food insecurity would "continue to hold."

Together, we can change the outcomes in our community. I am reaching out with an invitation to help us deepen the roots of food justice in Portland by joining our Sustaining Member community.

Sustaining Members enable us to:

• Plan for the future, knowing we can count on support
  throughout the year.
• Focus our energy and resources on program development
  and service delivery instead of fundraising.
• Build a community where access to an essential human need
  is a sustainable priority.

Becoming a Sustaining Member of Lift UP is like planting a seed and watching it grow. A sustaining gift at any level makes a tremendous difference. Help us reach our goal of 50 members by signing up as a new member or increasing your current recurring gift and Lift UP will receive a generous $5,000 matching gift.

Sustaining members also receive perks, including Lift UPdate exclusives and special recognition.

A donation of $35 each month provides more than 1,200 healthy, nutritious meals each year. Sustaining Members at this level and above will receive an additional, one-time thank you gift from Lift UP.

Thank you for joining us on our mission to reduce hunger in Northwest and Downtown Portland. Your support makes all the difference.

With gratitude,

Stephanie Barr
Executive Director
Lift UP

P.S. Please make a plan and vote in the November election! You can #votetoendhunger by following Oregon Food Bank's endorsements of local ballot initiatives.