Potluck in the Park: Help Save Our Vans!

Hello,

My name is Sophia, and I have organized this fundraiser on behalf of the incredible volunteers at Potluck in the Park. Please read their message below:

 

For more than 30 years, Potluck in the Park, a Portland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies solely on the dedication of our volunteers, has never missed a Sunday providing an afternoon outdoor meal to those in need. We continued our service through the COVID-19 pandemic, rain or shine, snowstorms or fires, adapting to every challenge thrown our way. We substituted brown bag lunches for hot meals and provided KN95 masks to ensure the safety of our volunteers and guests.

 

This Memorial Day weekend, we were handed another challenge and feared that we would not be able to serve the community for the first time in decades. The two vans we use to transport the food and supplies needed were stolen from the parking lot outside our kitchen in Southwest Portland. Not only were the vans stolen, but the tables, tent canopies, and all other equipment vital to our Sunday service were taken. The thieves who broke in and hotwired these vans seemed to disregard our mission written on the side of the vans: “Potluck in the Park – free meals for ANYONE in need.”

 

When our crew arrived Sunday morning, they were shocked and saddened to discover our vans and equipment were stolen. But, yet again, we overcame this challenge. Committed to continuing service for the members of our community, our volunteers were not deterred. We phoned in favors from additional volunteers, rounded up extra tables, and used our personal vehicles to transport hot meals. Despite what seemed to be an insurmountable challenge, we served almost 300 guests that very Sunday.

 

With the assistance of our community on social media, the devastating news of this theft was quickly spread by way of a Facebook post. Even at a time when car and other thefts of all sorts are unfolding with alarming regularity in Portland, the pilfering of the vans seemed to hit a nerve. The post was shared more than 100 times, and the vans were ultimately tracked down to two locations in Northwest and Northeast Portland. Both had their costly catalytic converters taken, and while one may still be salvageable, the other was gutted of parts and up on blocks. Our essential gear remains missing and seems to have been dumped at an unknown location.

 

While our need for donations and resources to quickly replace our lost equipment is imminent, the impending stress of possibly losing our production kitchen has weighed on us as well. We were informed that the previous owner of the kitchen where we store food and cook our meals recently gifted the property to OHSU. The new owner has listed the property for sale at $1.3 million. As an organization that operates with no paid staff and no formal funding source we rely on donations of money and food from generous stakeholders. We are unable to provide a reasonable offer to purchase the real estate. Our hope is that we maintain operations at our present location, however our organization could be asked to leave on short notice. Comparable facilities may cost upwards of 3/4 times the cost of our present location. Any money donated that is not used for replacing our vans and equipment will go toward overcoming this next challenge and be used for the host of other expenses required to operate the program.

 

Potluck in the Park is dedicated to honoring our decades-long tradition of weekly Sunday service. The impact that our guests have on us volunteers drives our passion and commitment to our community. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help ensure Potluck remains a vital resource in our community.

 

Reporters interested in interviewing volunteers who help make the meal happen on that difficult Memorial Day weekend Sunday can contact Potluck at 6027707657 or lacey . [email redacted] . com. Donations can be made through GoFundMe or directly on our website.

 

https://www.potluckinthepark.org/2019-donation/