Not Your Typical Food Closet

Family with CHI staff member, receiving food and supplies.

Last week as the cold snap broke and the snow and ice began to melt off the Portland streets, the CHI team prepared to distribute food to the families we serve. Given the strains already burdening families within our community - gun violence, unemployment, the pandemic - food insecurity was a burden the team wanted to make a dent in, as well.

Thanks to a grant from Portland Children's Levy, Youth Services has assembled a monthly food closet distribution that helps feed families in need. After taking requests from all the programs in POIC + RAHS, the Youth Services staff preps the groceries. In compiling each bag and the components within, the team is conscious of the sense of dignity lost when going to typical food banks, where the available food are items nobody else wanted. For our food closet, the selections are made with quality in mind. Bags contain staples that will go a long way. Each distribution day focuses on themes that will uplift the recipients. This time, Black History Month was the focus. Youth Services hopes to make this experience a joyful one for families with festive totes and items within.

Contents of the February Food Closet distribution.