Giving… it is a word with many connotations. We can give emotionally, physically and financially. But when we give it is a matter of choice. We chose to give!
The Tualatin Chamber has great non-profits in its membership. Among them are four that we would like to highlight in this time of giving; Tualatin Food Pantry, Tualatin Together, Borland Free Clinic and The Community Warehouse. These will afford you the opportunity to comfortably give in various ways; items, time and/or money.
Many of us already give but may not know of these opportunities, while others want to give but don’t know how or where to do so. All of us want to know that our donations are being used properly to help others. We don’t always have to give money but we can give of our time and resources as these too can benefit others.
We hope these options will give you an opportunity to give as never before. Happy Holidays!
Tualatin Food Pantry
Tualatin Food Pantry, schoolhousepantry.org is their website, believes no one should be hungry. They service clients from Tualatin, Wilsonville, West Linn, Lake Oswego and the small pocket of Durham with a weeks’ worth of food up to twice per month. Emergency food kits include a bit of everything like milk, meat, eggs, cheese, hygiene items, dry goods, produce, pet food and more. They welcome all who need help in a welcoming environment which is currently curbside with the pandemic.
There is no income requirement, just the courage to ask for help. They know, those unexpected expenses can really throw a wrench in the budget especially with surprise car repairs, medical expenses and the like.
For those wanting to donate and/or volunteer, please check out their website at www.schoolhousepantry.org. The current top needs and a volunteer sign up genius are located there as well as on the Facebook page. November and December are the busiest months and your help is definitely appreciated.
Tualatin Together
Tualatin Together “Dressed to Dream” puts the dress-up back into formal. They supply high school students in Tualatin, Tigard and surrounding areas with free homecoming, winter formal and prom attire. Eventually, this program will provide job interview clothing for students.
Clothing donated to this organization is given to those who cannot afford new clothing. Used for proms or other formal gatherings, lightly worn items can be repurposed rather than sitting in a closet collecting dust. A great way to purge items while helping our community.
How can the community help? Donate items such as short/long dresses, shoes, jewelry, button down shirts, suits, slacks, jackets, dress shoes, tuxedo’s as well as purses and accessories for dressing up. This is a great opportunity for all of us to help… because we all have items we don’t use any longer. Of course, they also use cash to buy items for the students as well.
Donations can be made by contacting Cyndy Hillier at cyndy@tualatintogether.org.
Borland Free Clinic
Jordan Eugene Skornik, Ph.D. says that the clinic “exists to provide needed medical care to the un- and under-insured in our community. Despite governmental and other programs aimed at helping such individuals find service, there are still people who fall through the “insurance gap.” Such folks typically avoid regular check-ups or nagging issues until they are so sick that they end up in the emergency room –– at a greater cost to them, the hospitals, and the community at large. Borland is a FREE clinic, which means that no one pays anything to be seen by one of their providers.
“We believe that they deserve quality, compassionate, and respectful medical care like everyone else. At our clinic, we offer traditional primary care services (check-ups, chronic issues management, physicals, vaccines, etc.), have in-house specialty services” These services include podiatry, physical therapy, women’s health and other specialty clinics (e.g., vision, dental), and they run a pre-Diabetes education program.
How can you help? Either volunteer or donate financially. They have several positions that are staffed by volunteers (both medical and non-medical), and donations of any amount greatly helps. Get more information at www.borlandclinic.org or call 503-974-8887.
Community Warehouse
Community Warehouse is the only furniture bank serving the tri-county area, with locations in Tualatin and NE Portland. Their mission is to provide essential household furnishings to neighbors who need them.
Providing beds to sleep in, tables to eat and gather at, cookware and dishware to prepare meals, lamps and desks for schoolwork, and other essential household items… these turn empty houses into furnished homes. “We value reuse in redistributing quality gently-used household furnishings to ensure people receive items that bring them joy, comfort, and dignity at home,” says Operations Manager Danit Rothstein.
This program has a very positive impact on the community. As a client Sara states, “It has been a while since having the combination of feeling safe in my home and actually having furniture that expresses me and feels sacred. Just thank you so much.”
You can help by donating your extra stuff, time, or funds to Community Warehouse. See a full list of what they do and don’t take at communitywarehouse.org/give-furniture. Interested in volunteering; email development@communitywarehouse.org or you can donate online at communitywarehouse.org.
