Dear friend,

Two hundred and fifty more people visited Preston's Pantry in September than in August.  In conversations with other fellow food security organizations, they are experiencing rising need too. The impacts of what we are reading in the headlines about the economy are real in the community we serve.

With the rate of inflation increasing basic food costs, many of our neighbors are feeling the pressure. Leona, a Lift UP client, opted out of buying a carton of eggs during a recent grocery store trip due to its $4.69 price tag.

Preston's Pantry is a shopping-style pantry where our clients can take however much food they need, with limits on items being placed sparingly. You can help us keep up with the increased demand and allow us to continue to operate in the spirit of abundance.

Help scare away hunger for neighbors by hosting a food drive or giving to Lift UP’s collective food drive. Every $5 equals 15 meals for our neighbors.  Give now!

Grab a Copy

As we shared last week, our Operations Manager, Cecilia Estraviz, received the esteemed Skidmore Prize from WW. Grab a paper copy at a location near you to view her and the other winner's write-up.

Mark Your Calendars

November 1 marks the start of Willamette Week's Give!Guide Campaign. Lift UP is excited to be one of the organizations selected to participate this year. Willamette Week's G!G is Portland's easiest path to year-end giving. G!G showcases nonprofits of all sizes whose missions fall into eight categories: Animals, Civil & Human Rights, Creative Expression, Community, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness and Human Services. In thirteen years, G!G has raised over $20 million for hundreds of local nonprofits.

G!G makes giving fun for donors by offering incentives no matter how much they give, $10 or $25,000, or anything in between. Donate on Big Give Days and get your chance to win exciting prizes. We also have some special gifts of our own from Freeland Spirits, Elephant's Deli and Mud Puddles.  Stay tuned!

Meet Fiona

We like to welcome Fiona Conneely to the team. Fiona is joining the team as our Administrative Assistant. Fiona has earned a degree in Physics with a minor in Astrophysics from the University of San Francisco and has a Certificate in Permaculture Design. She has been a research assistant, a baker at a food co-op, and a land steward on a homestead. She is passionate about food justice, the climate, and serving our community. We are thrilled that she has joined the Lift UP Team. You can reach out to Fiona at fiona@lifturbanportland.org.

As always, we are grateful for our all who put in the time, effort, and resources to make the work we do possible.

With Gratitude, 

Stephanie Barr
Executive Director

Food brings us together.