Dear friend,
On a recent sunny Wednesday, Natasha Butcher-Cook, our Supper Club Manager, whipped up a delightful Curried Chickpea Salad served in crisp lettuce cups at the Medallion apartments. Our Supper Club series isn't just about cooking; it's four weeks of nutrition education, culinary skills, and forging community bonds.
Ashley, a Resident Advocate at the Medallion, was so inspired that she took the recipe, added her twist with canned chicken, and shared this new creation with her neighbors. Resident Advocates like Ashley are the champions of food accessibility, helping to bring pantry services, food deliveries, and community food events right to residents' doors.
“I really loved how Natasha served the salad in lettuce boats—a brilliant twist for those managing diabetes, gluten sensitivities, or anyone craving a lighter, crisper meal,” Ashley remarked. The magic didn't stop there; leftovers sparked more culinary creativity among residents. Imagine a Curried Chickpea Salad jazzed up with blueberries and crispy fried onions, handed out as tasty teasers during an Emergency Food Closet distribution shift.
Ashley has seen firsthand how powerful it can be when residents understand and embrace new foods. Chickpeas, once the wallflowers of the Medallion pantry, are now one of the most popular items at the ball. "Exposure to new foods is just as crucial as having them available," Ashley observed.
A humble can of chickpeas brings value to our pantries—packed with fiber, vitamins C and K, and a host of other nutrients—is immense. Natasha's chickpea culinary wizardry has even won over the staunchest meat-lovers in our community.
"One Supper Club participant, who proudly calls himself a meat-and-potatoes guy, was initially skeptical about the recipe. However, his curiosity got the better of him. "By the time I was cleaning up, he came back asking for seconds. He loved it!” Natasha exclaimed.
At Lift UP, our mission extends beyond simply providing food. We aim to demystify ingredients and inspire our community to incorporate them into their daily meals. After all, what's the use of stocking items like lentils if no one knows a delicious way to prepare them? This is a slice of the systemic inequities we aim to chop away.
When Ashley shared her story of the curried chickpea salad, it truly warmed our hearts at Lift UP. We love seeing the cycle of the chickpea in action—from Natasha's demonstrations to residents cooking and sharing dishes, and finally, to others picking chickpeas off the pantry shelves, possibly for the first time.
You can help propel this cycle forward. Join us in our Spring/Summer Food and Fund Drive. Just $25 can stock our pantry with 25 cans of canned goods. Click here to donate to our Spring Food Drive.
We are immensely grateful for your continued support. Together, we're not just feeding bodies; we're nourishing communities. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.
With Gratitude,
Stephanie Barr, Executive Director
PS Action Alert! Congress Voting Soon to cut $500 million in SNAP for Oregonians. This proposal will likely be voted on by May 23. Let your voice be heard. Join in with our partners at Oregon Food Bank and TAKE ACTION NOW! There is no time to waste.
Food brings us together.
