Nonprofit Human Solutions feeds approximately 260 people every day at their three emergency shelters. It’s a huge effort that takes many hands.
Special pandemic funding made the work lighter, but with access to those funds ending, they could use more help from the community. Ways you can help restock the shelters’ kitchens range from things you can do without leaving home to picking up items and delivering them to a shelter.
Human Solutions maintains a shopping wish list through Amazon (amzn.to/3rnuIqu) where you can purchase items like canned vegetables, single serving cereal and pasta that will be delivered directly to the organization. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can put the items in your Amazon cart, pay for them and off they go to the shelter’s kitchen.Â
Another option is to purchase a gift card to WinCo, the top choice as it is close to Human Solutions’ main kitchen. Buy it online at wincofoods.com or pick one up and mail it to the organization. Gift cards to other major East Portland grocers are also appreciated.
Finally, you could pick up a few extra items when you’re doing your own shopping or find things in your pantry to drop off at a shelter. In both cases, the Amazon wish list is a good guide for the items that are most in need. Keep in mind that food should be shelf stable and unexpired.
In order to keep the shelter locations confidential as a matter of privacy and safety for their residents, go to bit.ly/FillOurPantry and sign up to drop off food or to mail a gift card. You’ll receive an email after signing up with the address and instructions.
Those interested in becoming an ongoing supporter of the shelter kitchens, donating other items or talking with the Volunteer and Donations Team can email volunteer@humansolutions.org or call/text 971.806.7759.
