Dear friend,

This marks the sixth year of Lift UP’s Adopt a Building Program. Collectively, our building Adopters are ensuring that 3,411 residents of 27 low-income apartment buildings in Northwest and Downtown Portland have direct access to nutritious food on-site, increasing their food security and empowering them to build healthy lives and relationships with their community.

During our annual Making Connections event in 2018, the Richardson family signed up to be part of the collective success of the Adopt a Building program. At this event, Dave Richardson, long-time supporter and vested volunteer, was awarded and recognized for his service. His family was in attendance to celebrate his recognition.

It was during the slow-going paddle raise that Jeff Richardson, Dave’s son, came up with an idea to jumpstart Lift UP’s gift-raising efforts by encouraging each of his family members to give. Together they agreed to contribute enough funds to adopt the building 333 Oaks.

Dave & Cheryl Richardson

The Richardson family adopters are:

 Dave and Cheryl Richardson

Jeff & Sharon Richardson (Cheryl and Dave’s son & daughter in-law)

Scott and Karen Richardson (Cheryl and Dave’s son & daughter in-law)

Julie Richardson & Matt Kappler (Cheryl and Dave’s daughter & son in-law)

Over the past year, the support of the Richardsons has aided the residents of 333 Oaks with:

• 114 Delivered Food Boxes, 59 of which were customized to meet the dietary needs of recipients 
• 1,200 pounds of food to stock the Emergency Food Closet, accessible to all residents

Throughout the years, the Richardson’s have formulated deep relationships with residents they serve at 333 Oaks. “It feels good to help,” said Dave. “Clients are always so grateful.”

Cheryl, Dave’s wife, also noted the benefit of the special needs boxes for residents of their adopted building. “There is no other program that I know of where clients can get food based on their dietary needs such as diabetes,” Cheryl says.

The Richardson clan has continued to renew their adoption yearly and values the opportunity to give as a family. “We have always been a philanthropic family,” Dave says. “Our family feels good about the opportunity to give collectively around a mission we all care about.”

The Lift UP team relies partners like the Richardson family. Their support ensures that our neighbors continue to have access to fresh and nutritious food.

“The Richardson family is an example for each of us to embrace giving as a way of living. Their continued dedication to our food programs and clients set an example of how each of us can impact our community by just showing up,” says Ceci Estraviz, Operations Manager for Lift UP

The Adopt a Building program provides the unique chance for businesses, groups, families, or organizations to provide wrap-around food security to residents and build community and relationships with those you're serving.

A full adoption provides ten home-bound residents with monthly Delivered Food Boxes, an on-site Emergency Food Closet that provides non-perishable options for residents experiencing food shortages, and Supper Club, a four-course healthy eating workshop series held on-site.

Learn more about our Adopt a Building program through our virtual info session on Wednesday, June 22 at noon. Register to attend here.

ADOPT A BUILDING. RAISE A COMMUNITY. LIFT URBAN PORTLAND.

Gratefully Yours, 

The Lift UP Team

Food brings us together.