Dear friend,
As we round the corner into Fall, the foods coming in for our neighbors reflect the season. Acorn Squash, parsnips, radishes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and rutabagas are on on our shelves. While we are still seeing more neighbors needing food than ever before in Lift UP’s history, we are grateful to provide fresh food in abundance to as many people as we can.
“My diet has completely changed since coming to Preston's Pantry. I hadn't had any fruits and veggies for three years before coming here. They're too expensive for me to use my SNAP on.” said Preston's Pantry shopper during our recently held focus groups.
To better serve our community, Lift UP held focus groups to solicit feedback about our services and learn from our neighbors how we can better meet their needs.
This shopper was not the only one who can't afford to buy fruits and vegetables. Access to fresh produce was one of the most touted benefits of Lift UP's program, cited over and over again during focus as greatly appreciated. Some neighbors mentioned trying certain fruits and vegetables for the first time – such as artichokes. (And then a lively debate ensued about the best way to prepare them!)
At Lift UP we believe that increasing food security for neighbors is not only about quantity but quality as well. As one pantry shopper put it, “I like that I can shop here and get better quality food than what I would be able to buy for myself.”
See the Acorn Squash recipe that we shared with our neighbors who had acorn squash in their Delivered Food Box that day. It's the perfect soup to usher Fall in with.
You are Nuttily Amazing
Our Nut Butter Drive is off to great success! So far we have brought in 2,483 jars of nut butter, nearing halfway to our 5,000 jar goal by the end of December. Help us get all the way there!
Donate to our Nut Butter Drive here. Every $10 equals 4 jars of nut butter.
Host a holiday nut butter drive at your organization with friends and family. Sign up here.
A Shout Out to All of Our Nut Butter Drive Partners!
Claudia Sanzone Birthday Drive • First United Methodist Church • Havurah Shalom • Jim Mauceri Birthday Drive • OTAK • Laurelhurst Movie Theatre • MAC Club • Prometheus Real Estate • Zion Lutheran Church
Get Give!Guide Ready!
Get ready for November 1st! Lift UP is honored to again be a part of this year’s Give!Guide. Give!Guide is Oregon's easiest path to year-end giving. It's Willamette Week's annual effort to raise funds for — and draw attention to — the good works of local nonprofits.
Along with chances to win prizes such as trips, experiences, and even tattoos, we have some of our own treats we are giving away to our supporters – think gourmet pizza and juicy burgers.
During the next few months, you will be presented with many different ways to support Lift UP and foster food security for our neighbors. We appreciate you! We are only able to do what we do because of our community of supporters!
With Gratitude,
The Team at Lift UP!
Food brings us together.
