Dear friend,

Treating each other with respect and dignity are core values at Lift UP. That’s why Preston’s Pantry operates from the philosophy of “open distribution.” Under this philosophy, we empower clients to select the food they need, without restrictions.

At Lift UP, we understand that families come in all sizes, from individuals feeding their friends to multi-generational families. Operating a shopping-style pantry gives clients the autonomy, respect, and dignity to make their own choices about the foods they need to keep their family fed.

Food insecurity extends beyond the physical experience of feeling hungry or not having enough. It’s the stress of being uncertain about where your next meal is coming from, and the sense of scarcity when you simply can’t get your needs met.

“When you’re standing in line waiting and you don’t have a choice of the food they give you, it’s hard. Having it delivered or available in your own building, that’s huge for folks, especially their dignity. Scarcity puts people in a defensive survival mode, and it’s very stressful. It makes it hard to get through day to day."

– Dale Noonkester, Resident Services Coordinator,
The 1200 Building and Lexington Apartments

Our open distribution philosophy means we operate from a spirit of abundance. We want Lift UP clients to experience that spirit, to have more than enough, and be able to reconnect with the joys that food can bring.

Here’s an example. One week we had a surplus of donated butter. Wide-eyed, one of our pantry clients leaned in because she loves to make croissants for her neighbors but hasn’t been able to do it because butter is expensive. Because of the bounty of this item and our open disruption philosophy, our client was able to receive the butter she needed to make croissants for her friends.

“We try our best to make healthy nutritious food available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. We’re not here to judge. Everyone is grateful to take what they need to feed their families.”

- Teresa Steichen, Preston’s Pantry Manager at Lift UP

Empowerment is core to our Delivered Food Boxes program as well, where more than one third of our clients are dealing with nutritional issues beyond food insecurity. We take great pride in packing food boxes that are specific to low-sodium, low-sugar, gluten free, vegan, and low-maintenance diets, among others. Our clients with hyper-tension, diabetes, celiac disease, and those without kitchens are provided nutritional food specific to their needs.

This is critical! One of our Delivered Food Box clients recently shared that because of her dietary restrictions, she relies on Lift UP for 85% of her monthly groceries. She is one of the many reasons why our monthly deliveries include 50 lbs. of nutritious foods, from pantry staples, to dairy, eggs, meat, and produce.

And it’s not just us. Oregon Food Bank fully endorses open distribution as a key component to end hunger for our neighbors. With their support, we are able to provide healthy, fresh food that best meets the needs of our neighbors.

With gratitude,

The Lift UP Team

Food brings us together.