Michelle Schroeder Fletcher hosts a program about Potluck in the Park - Celebrating 20 Years Of Serving A Free Hot Meal To Anyone In Need, Since 1991.
In downtown Portland every Sunday, rain or shine, a dedicated group of volunteers from Potluck in the Park (PiP) come together to create community and serve a hot nutritious meal to anyone in need.
On Aug. 28th, Potluck in the Park celebrates its 20th birthday by offering a Free barbecue meal to anyone in need with an estimated attendance of 1200 guests in the PSU Park Blocks between S.W. Hall & Montgomery. A Resource Faire in collaboration with local social services providers will include Health, Legal, Youth Services, Haircuts, Bike Repairs, Pet Food and Live Music.
PiP started in 1991, sparked by a conversation between founder Sharon Darcy and a homeless individual in the park blocks. Sharon learned that none of the shelters served a meal on Sunday, so she and her daughter Shelly returned to the park the following week and served soup to 15 people.
Run entirely by volunteers, PIP uses monetary donations to purchase food from the Oregon Food Bank and Birch Community Gleaners and prepares food donated by community partners, including faith groups, grocery stores, and social service agencies. Every Sunday rain or shine, volunteers prepare a healthy meal and transform O’Bryant Square Park into a dining room. In bad weather, food service moves under ground to the Smart Park Garage beneath the park.
If you are interested in volunteering for the event, sign up on the Hands On Greater Portland handsonportland.org. On the Hands On home page,click on [Featured Project, Potluck in the Park], which will link to the sign-up page.