November 24, 2010

Once each fall, the Rose Garden concourse plays host to a different kind of event as the Trail Blazers host the Harvest Dinner. Nick was proud to join Multnomah County Youth Commissioner Sophia Kecskes to help serve dinner at the event last night.

Now in its 15th year, the Harvest Dinner offers a hot Thanksgiving meal to thousands of homeless and very low-income people in our community. Beyond traditional favorites like turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, the Harvest Dinner offer a lot more. It provides the opportunity for visitors to get a haircut, have a family photo taken, get a flu shot, take in some live music, and visit with a number of local social service providers. Among those we saw last night were Street Roots, Transition Projects Inc. (our partner on the RAC), Human Solutions, and Street Roots newspaper.

There are lots of ways you can help our most vulnerable stay safe, warm, and fed this holiday season. For example, the 2nd Annual Sock Drive will help Transition Projects Inc. and 'Dinner and a Movie' provide supplies to the people they serve. 211info is coordinating a blanket donation drive to benefit local homeless services agencies. Thanksgiving meal providers across Oregon and Washington will need help serving dinner tomorrow night. Throughout the winter months, there will be opportunities to lend a hand to those in our community who need help. We encourage to give whatever you're able!