A concern about social justice and social action is a vibrant part of the caring community at Rose City Park Presbyterian.
Adult Education sessions featuring guest speakers on a variety of local issues have led members to individually donate their time and resources to organizations that work to make our communities better and safer for all Portlanders.
Our projects are inspired by the ever-changing needs of our community and the passions of our members.
One of our current ministries is at the Wy’East Shelter for veterans, where we provide a home-cooked meal twice a month. On Friday, July 31, 2021, RCPPC Youth Group made dinner for the vets at the Wy’East shelter. Two Wy’East staff members shared some thoughts about what RCPPC’s involvement has meant.
Food Ministry: A Message from the Wy’East Shelter
Groups from RCPPC have also walked to support ALS, marched in the Portland Pride Parade, harvested excess food for a local food pantry at a local garden, and participated in SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) cleanups. At our coffee fellowship, we serve Equal Exchange fair trade coffee as part of our commitment to supporting workers and the environment beyond the Pacific Northwest.
Other examples of our involvement, past and present:
- Our Youth Group restored a park in the Cully neighborhood
- Green Bag Program– Donors fill a green bag with nonperishable food, leave it at the church each month, and pick up an empty bag for the following month.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Drives for household goods to support the Community Warehouse
- Food donations, with Take Action, Inc. created a Food Back Pack program at Marysville School while they were temporarily housed in the Rose City Neighborhood. Food drives have also benefit Mainspring Portland and SnowCap Community Charities.
We are particularly concerned about community organizations that need our support during Covid. These include:
Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP). The NEFP, located at 4800 NE 72nd Ave in the Cully neighborhood, provides food to the most vulnerable among us. To support the NEFP, send checks to: Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, 0245 SW Bancroft St., Suite B, Portland, OR 97239. Or, donate via their web page. Select “Northeast Emergency Food Program” in the designation section.
Living Cully The Living Cully coalition unites four non-profit community development organizations in a collaborative, long-term, community-led effort to improve the quality of life for people of color and low-income people in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood — and ensure that Cully will always be a place where people of color and low-income people can live and thrive.
Portland Homeless Family Solutions has been helping families for twelve years. The organization offers apartment living for 30 families with children who were in danger of living on the streets, or actually were living on the streets. To learn more, you may watch Brandi Tucker’s TedX talk.To make a donation, send to: Portland Homeless Family Solutions 6220 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
Mother and Child Education Center Mother & Child Education Center (MCEC) offers hope, support, education and guidance to families during their parenting journey to help build a community of competent, confident parents. Established in Portland in 1971, MCEC offers a judgment-free space for anyone who is parenting including expectant women, single fathers, and families facing challenges such as lack of housing, poverty, fleeing domestic violence, refugee or immigration status, DHS involvement, substance abuse, or trauma.
Habitat for Humanity is vital to the network of Portland organizations helping to permanently house individuals and families. Now, in addition to moving families into recently completed homes, purchasing new building sites, and beginning new projects, Habitat is helping to pay mortgages of Habitat families experiencing job furloughs or layoffs. Habitat’s annual fundraiser was cancelled because of the virusIt leading to a funding gap of $250,000. Currently, Habitat has a matching grant opportunity– visit their website for details and to contribute.
STONE SOUP PDX. Stone Soup PDX (SSP) is (a) a non-profit restaurant in NW, (b) a food service training enterprise providing hands on culinary expertise to people at risk of homelessness. SSP is currently coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinner preparations and deliveries from up to 21 restaurants to 7 emergency homeless shelters set up and funded by Multnomah County, resulting in 7980 meals per week.