Here is more information, from Pastor Brian, on the organization that the Free Food Ministries works with:
Birch Community Services is a facility located on the Portland/Gresham line. Birch was formed in 1999 in a response to seeing people struggling to even obtain bread. The Birch family began collecting bread from local bakeries and stores and providing it to area families. This grew over time to redistributing millions of pounds of wholesome food, clothing and household goods deemed surplus by product donors; and providing workshops and courses designed to equip families with new knowledge and skills for achieving fiscal stability.
BCS gives families the means to reach their goals of decreasing or eliminating consumer debt, catching up with mortgage or car payments, meeting medical bills, or helping pay for vocational training to earn a livable wage.
Agencies are allowed to shop once per week for a monthly charge of $125. Agencies are allowed to take as much food as they need to service their community. We at Free Food Ministries have been able to obtain loads of 2100 lbs, 2300lbs, and 3100 lbs of products ranging from meat to dairy to dry goods, and more.
We are blessed to have this service as it allows us to provide a wider range of goods to our visitors as well as our partnerships with local school districts during this challenging time.
Currently our food tents run by Amy Fiederowicz are sharing 12,000-15,000 pounds of food and serving 2000 families a week. Contact Amy to volunteer to help. If you would like to donate, please mail a check (payable to WUMC, memo:FFM) or give through our website.
Glory to God