By: Mireaya Medina, Communications Manager
Food is such a big part of our community here at SE Uplift. Our staff and community groups use food as a way to bond, bring folks into meetings and nurture one another.
I always have a sense of relief and then comfort when healthy snacks and beverages are provided at gatherings.
I take into consideration that many organizations need community members to participate in programming, the same as public schools need students to attend. We all know that many students receive free and reduced lunch and, in some cases, school breakfast and lunch are the only two meals a student may get in a day. According to Urban Gleaners, Oregon is one of the hungriest states in the nation and in 2016 was the only state to record an increase in childhood hunger.
With the cost of living increasing in Portland, many community members need extra support to access healthy foods. Urban Gleaners: Food for All is collecting, sorting, packaging, and then distributing foods to combat hunger! They support 25 school pantries, 15 mobile markets and 18 summer marts through their Food to Schools Program, mobile markets, Summer Free Farmers Markets and non-profit pickups. 
Mobile Markets in the SE Uplift Coalition area occur on Saturdays at the Mt. Scott Community Center (5530 SE 72nd Ave., 97206). Please call ahead to make sure the Mobile Market is still happening since the schedule can vary at times. For a full list of Mobile Market dates and locations, click here.
To donate or volunteer with Urban Gleaners, click here or call (503) 226-8061.