Dear friend,

And the Survey Says...

This summer, we asked neighbors who shop at Preston's Pantry and participate in our Adopt a Building program to tell us about their experiences with Lift UP. 

The results are in, and the top answers are about much more than groceries. 

Fresh food supports better health 

At Preston's Pantry, 96% of respondents said Lift UP helps them access more fresh fruits and vegetables, and 95% said the food helps them take better care of their health. Among Adopt a Building participants, 88% said Lift UP helps them eat more fruits and vegetables, while 84% said the food supports their health.  

As one neighbor shared: 

“I definitely eat healthier with Lift UP deliveries. Many thanks!” 

For neighbors managing diabetes, heart disease, mobility challenges, and other health conditions, consistent access to nourishing food can make a meaningful difference in how they feel and care for themselves. 

Groceries create breathing room 

The surveys also revealed the difficult choices many neighbors are making. 

More than half of Preston's Pantry respondents said they had faced a choice between paying rent and buying food during the past year. At the same time, 84% said Lift UP helps free up money for bills and other essential expenses. Among Adopt a Building respondents, 83% said Lift UP provides that same financial breathing room.  

One Pantry shopper put it plainly: 

“Without your help, I wouldn't be able to pay rent or eat.” 

A bag of  groceries can mean money for medication, utilities, transportation, or next month's rent. 

Sometimes access means bringing food home 

For neighbors living with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or limited transportation, food is only helpful when they can reach it. 

That is why Lift UP brings groceries directly into affordable housing communities through our Adopt a Building program. One resident shared: 

“Sometimes it's too difficult to get out of the house and get what I need to eat, so this ensures that I eat daily.” 

When that resident was away during a delivery, the volunteer called not only about the groceries, but also to make sure they were okay.  

That small act reflects what neighbors repeatedly told us. The food matters, and so do the kindness, relationships, and sense of care surrounding it. 

The need continues to grow 

These survey results arrive at a critical moment. 

Oregon's food assistance network recorded 2.9 million visits last year—an increase of 51% in just two years. Food distributed during that same period grew by only 5%.  

And beginning October 1, scheduled changes to SNAP administration, enrollment assistance, and nutrition education will create additional barriers for families. More of our neighbors will need help this fall, no matter what happens in Washington, D.C.  

The survey says Lift UP's programs are working. Neighbors are eating more fresh food, taking better care of their health, stretching limited incomes further, and finding food and connection close to home. 

Unfortunately, as demand continues to grow, we cannot slow down. We also have to evolve how we respond. 

That is why Lift UP is expanding its role beyond direct food assistance food through the Coalition to Advance Food Equity, or CAFE. As CAFE's backbone organization, we are working alongside local partners to share resources, strengthen food sourcing and distribution, build relationships with local farms, and create a more resilient and equitable food system. 

Help keep nourishing food within reach 

Your support helps stock Preston's Pantry, deliver groceries to neighbors who cannot easily leave home, and bring fresh food directly into affordable housing communities across Northwest and Downtown Portland. It also helps us build the partnerships and systems needed to meet today's growing demand and prepare for what comes next. 

As needs continue to grow, there are many ways to support Lift UP's work. You can volunteer, make a one-time gift, or become a sustaining monthly donor. A gift of $35 per month can help provide 288 meals for our neighbors over the course of a year. 

Together, we can continue offering more than food. We can offer dignity, stability, health, and the reassurance that neighbors do not have to face hard times alone. 

With Appreciation,

Stephanie Barr, Executive Director

P.S. Curious about what neighbors shared? Download the full results from Lift UP's Preston's Pantry and Adopt a Building program evaluations here. 

Food brings us together.