In December, BPS staff coordinated their annual silent auction as part of their winter celebration, with all proceeds benefitting Oregon Food Bank (OFB). Over $5,000 was raised from 292 auction items that included donations by local businesses, service gift certificates, staff-made artwork, textiles, jewelry and homemade food, re-gifted and gently-used goods and cash donations.

2012’s event surpassed 2011’s efforts by $2,000 with 108 more items. The BPS Silent Auction has been organized by a volunteer committee and has remained a popular way for staff to give back to our community since 2006. To date BPS has raised $23,150  for local charities.

The Oregon Food Bank’s Fresh Alliance program provides nutritious, perishable food, like meat, milk and dairy, to people who are hungry statewide. Since its inception, the program has kept 16-million pounds of food from being wasted and has become a national model.