“When I moved to Portland in 1976, my job fell through,” said long-time First Church member Mark Mason.  “I had enough money for rent, but no money for food.  Someone said to go to Loaves and Fishes, and they gave me two bags of food.  My cousin and I lived on that for a week.  It is scary when you don’t have food, and it was a gift that got us through.”  Now, Mark volunteers with LIFT Urban Portland, known as LIFT UP, to help others get the same gift he was given.

LIFT UP runs several programs to combat food insecurity in Downtown and Northwest Portland, including Preston’s Pantry, located at First Church. Several First Church members volunteer with LIFT UP.  Here is a description of what they do:

Food Packer – Mark Mason works as a food packer at the LIFT UP warehouse.  He packages food boxes and bags for elderly people and people with disabilities who cannot get the pantry. Mark packs 10 to 15 boxes and 25 bags of food each shift. Each bag is planned for each client. The foods can be low-salt, vegetarian, or address a client’s allergies or other dietary needs.

Mark describes this job as similar to shopping – “They give you lists, and you get into a flow, walking around the warehouse, picking out the foods and listening to the manager’s eclectic music choices.” 

Later, the boxes are delivered by other volunteers to nearby low-income housing.

Food Delivery — Steve Cromer works with Tom Kayser on a delivery team.  Steve drives his own car or the LIFT van from the LIFT warehouse to low-income apartment buildings to deliver the food boxes Mark Mason helps pack.  Steve and Tom make sure that people who cannot get to the pantry receive fresh food and a warm hello, right at their doorstep. Their service addresses the clients’ nutritional needs and breaks up the social isolation of immobility. This volunteer job requires a strong back and a warm heart.

Pantry Set-up – Church member Gary Goss has volunteered for LIFT since moving to Portland in 2015.  “I worked at Lockheed (in California) for 31 years and earned a good living, so now it’s time for me to give back.  I do it because there is a need.”

Gary has volunteered for LIFT UP in a variety of roles, but currently he shows up early on Thursday mornings before the pantry opens for clients. He unloads food from the LIFT van, restocks the pantry shelves, and organizes the pantry.

“Preston’s Pantry is a “shopping-style“ pantry, meaning clients can choose their own groceries from the shelves, according to their tastes and needs,” he said. Set-up volunteers strive to make the pantry as clean and attractive as possible. Recently Gary recruited his daughter Lisa, and now they spend time together unloading boxes, checking expiration dates, and lining up produce. 

Pantry Distribution – This face-to-face volunteer job is all about building relationships with the clients.  Coming to the pantry is stressful for many people. They may have transportation challenges, they may be afraid of the other clients or staff, or they may worry the food will run out before it is their turn. 

Pastor Ethan Gregory volunteers at the pantry weekly on his day off.  “Going to the pantry week after week is a spiritual practice,” he says.  “In the midst of weeks filled with meetings, decisions, twists and turns and the myriad activities of church and pastoring, there is always something profoundly grounding for me about helping distribute food to people in need.  It’s one of the places I see Jesus most clearly. And, every Friday at six o’clock, when I head back home, I have no doubt that my showing up has made a difference.”

Preston’s Pantry has been operating at First Church since February 2020.  Before moving to the church, the pantry was located in a small, basement room at another downtown church.  The room was difficult to stock and required clients to descend a steep staircase, and then carry their groceries back up the stairs to leave.  People waiting in line had to stand outside in an uncovered space.