Dear friend,

As a Sustaining Member of Lift UP, I want to share my story with you.

I first got involved with Lift UP at the suggestion of a friend from First United Methodist Church, himself a Lift UP volunteer. Years later, I’ve performed nearly all the roles a volunteer can do for Lift UP. I’m familiar with what the organization does and I believe wholeheartedly in the mission. It’s clear that becoming a Sustainer Member was something I needed to do to live my values. I want Lift UP to have the support they can count on to plan, grow the organization, and help as many people in our community as possible get the food they need.

Lift UP provides a food lifeline in our community and, just as importantly, provides social connection for our clients. As a Friday volunteer at Preston’s Pantry, I see many of the same faces each month. People talk with me about their lives and I share with them about mine. I even have enough history with some clients to share “inside” jokes. These are the kinds of relationships that make life worth living, in my estimation.

Right now, I take hope from the resilience of our clients and their overwhelmingly cheerful attitudes and expressions of gratitude. And I take great heart and hope from our volunteers. I’ve watched our core Friday volunteer crew continually go the extra mile to make sure our clients have an affirming, positive experience while they’re at Preston’s Pantry. These are people who understand that they are privileged to be able to be able to serve their community. Because we are all there to advance Lift UP’s mission, we have developed genuine friendships with each other, really enjoy working together, and support each other in the work. 

I would like the community to know that Lift UP works incredibly hard with a minimal staff to provide high quality food to those in need. If you spend time talking to any one of the staff, I guarantee you will come away impressed with their fierce dedication to what they are trying to accomplish, which is to get good food to those in the community who need that support.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the adaptability of clients, the staff, and the volunteers. Because of the change of Preston’s Pantry’s location and the pandemic, many rapid changes have become necessary. Through it all, the Lift UP community has remained focused on the mission and has displayed a “can do” spirit. For all of these reasons, I’m excited every Friday to join the clients and my fellow volunteers as we try to live into what it means to be a caring community.

Friend, you too are a part of the Lift UP community. I know you care about our neighbors and share my belief that no one should go hungry. That’s why I am hoping you will join me by becoming a Sustaining Member of Lift UP.

Sincerely,

Steve Cromer
Lift UP Volunteer and Sustaining Member

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.

Each new Sustaining Member (or increased donation from an existing Sustaining Member) will help us meet a matched donation of $5,000 from a generous donor. At 32 Sustaining Members, we are close to our goal of 50!

Sustaining Members will receive perks, including Lift UPdate exclusives and special recognition.

For more information, visit www.lifturbanportland.org/give
or call 503-221-1224