It’s often only when the holidays roll by that the thought of donating to a worthy cause crosses our minds. However, all year round, countless Portland charities need our help by way of monetary contributions (or even donating items like clothes and other things that we don’t use).
In the aftermath of the global pandemic, many groups are struggling to get back to where they were, and donations in the months to come could be key to their continued support of our vibrant Portland community. If we rally together and support these charities selflessly, we can help build a stronger community and help them fight the good fight all year round.
Impact NW
Established in 1966, Impact NW has been leading the way towards equipping people of all ages with the necessary skills and resources needed to achieve total independence in their lives. Their objective is to help these disadvantaged individuals reach their goals and thrive within their communities, and they do this through housing assistance, work and career support, education services, family support, and senior services.
The mission of Impact NW is to reduce the ongoing issue of homelessness in our community through preventative efforts, working to help people as they go through the journey towards stability and opportunity. You can help by making a direct monetary contribution, donating essential household items, and volunteering at their downtown center.
Website: impactnw.org
Current Needs:
- Financial resources
- Volunteering time
- Foodstuffs (particularly shelf-stable goods)
Northwest Children’s Outreach
Northwest Children’s Outreach is an all-volunteer, Christian-led group, striving tirelessly to help the underprivileged younger members of our community with things that they need the most. They function primarily as a distribution and collection center, helping gather resources for the needy children and sending out the items to local care providers who meet the children and work with them.
Through a robust volunteer network, NCO leads funding drives in offices, schools, churches, and clubs to raise the money for the essential items that children might need. Consider donating items that your child no longer needs or a monetary donation. NCO gratefully accepts both of these!
Website: nwchildrens.org
Current Needs:
- Diapers and other clothing
- Books
- Hygiene products
- Formula
- Toys
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The Portland Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a store and donation center which focuses on home improvement by selling new and used furniture, home decor materials, electronic appliances, building equipment and materials, light fixtures, and more to the consumer at reduced prices. All proceeds from the sale of these items help support local home building programs Habitat for Humanity.
In the Portland Metro area, you can help by donating home furnishings and home equipment that you don’t need anymore or by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They have an open-door policy that allows anyone with a giving urge to help out and volunteer at their numerous projects that are always in session.
Website: pdxrestore.org
Current Needs:
- Financial resources
- Volunteering time
- Foodstuffs (particularly shelf-stable goods)
Oregon Food Bank
The mission of the Oregon Food Bank is to gather up and distribute food across both Oregon and parts of southwest Washington. Their aim is to help make sure that high-quality food is available to everyone experiencing food shortage and insecurity – especially those who are the victims of unfair profiling due to racism, sexism, and classism.
Food is one of the basic and universal things that a human being is entitled to, and the Oregon Food Bank is working hard to ensure that a nourishing, hot meal can reach every needy person in and around the Portland Metro area. They are trying to achieve this through a statewide web of neighborhood food banks and more than 1,200 food assistance centers serving all of Oregon and Clark County.
Website: www.oregonfoodbank.org
Current Needs:
- Financial resources
- Food donations (shelf-stable goods)
- Volunteering time
Unite Oregon
Formerly known as the Center for Intercultural Organizing and Oregon Action, Unite Oregon is a non-profit which is led by immigrants, people of color, and refugees. It works towards raising awareness and rallying all the disenfranchised and marginalized people of Oregon towards receiving social justice and developing programs that aim to make Oregon more equitable.
Unite Oregon has chapters in Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, and Rogue Valley. It focuses on programs that target civic engagement, policy advocacy, intergenerational leadership development, and community organizing. You can help Unite Oregon’s work by donating monthly, or by becoming a sustainer through their Unite Oregon network.
Website: www.uniteoregon.org
Current Needs:
- Financial resources
- Volunteering time
- Advocacy
Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc.
Established in 1993, Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. is the sole NPO in Oregon that fuses animal welfare, agriculture, horticultural, and energy resources to provide an enriched education program for all children, including at-risk youth and children who need a guardian. All of this takes place in a friendly farm setting.
Rather than teaching the children to become farmers, Old McDonald’s Farm focuses on using nature and working with nature as a means to inculcate rewarding life lessons. Activities may include animal care and husbandry, life science lessons, ecology, Zoology, and recycling and sustainable living. All the programs at Old McDonald’s Farm are designed in such a way that they help teachers meet the federal and state requirements for education.
OMF also features a Senior Connect Program, which allows senior citizens an opportunity to visit the farm and mentor an at-risk child. It’s a great way to give back to society – and make a new friend for life!
Website: oldmcdonaldsfarm.org
Current Needs:
- Financial resources
- Volunteering time
- Children’s rain gear
- Art supplies (crayons, pens, poster boards, etc.)
- Leads, halters, and saddles
These are a few of the charities in the Portland Metro region that need your help all year round. However, there are many more! After all, our society is home to many who are not as fortunate as us, and there are many causes that can use our help.
If you can think of any other worthy causes, why not leave a comment for us below? With our resources combined, we can help do our part by giving back to our community, one person at a time.
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