Field Trips for April 2010!

April 6, 10:30 am-2:30 Shopping at Kohl’s
The Beaverton Kohl's Department Store is always a good place to shop for bargains. After shopping, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Marie Callendar’s Restaurant. Bring money for lunch and shopping.

April 14, 9:30 am-2:30 pm Guide Dogs for the Blind Tour
Learn how guide dogs are chosen and trained during a tour of the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in Boring, OR. The tour may include a visit to the kennels, the puppy socialization area and the veterinary clinic. After the tour, enjoy lunch at the Gresham Olive Garden. The tour is free. Bring money for lunch.

April 20, 12:30 pm– 3 pm Jewish Museum Tour
Enjoy an educational tour of the Oregon Jewish Museum where you will have the opportunity to view the “Letters to Sala” exhibit. The tour is $3.

April 27, 9:00 am-4:00pm Tillamook Coast Trip
This trip starts with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory where you can learn about the cheese making process and see the cheese makers at work. Then we will travel to the Tillamook Air Museum where you can enjoy lunch at the Air Base Café before you tour the air museum. During the tour, you will be able to see over 30 War Birds including the P-51 Mustang and the Dauntless Dive Bomber. The Tillamook Cheese Factory is free and the Air Museum is $7.50 for groups of ten or more. Lunch ranges from $5 to $10.

To Sign Up For a Trip, Please Call Northwest Portland Ministries at:
503-221-1224 x100
Suggested Gas Donation Based On Mileage: ($5-$7)

Jewish Museum Field Trip!

Join us for a special tour of the Oregon Jewish Museum!
Date: Tuesday, April 20
Time: 1pm- 2:30 pm
Address: 1953 NW Kearney St., Portland, OR, 97209 (map)
Cost: cost is $3.00 paid at the door (group rate).

The visit will begin with a presentation about the unique history of Oregon’s Jewish community by education coordinator, Lea Faw. There will be time to explore the exhibits at your own pace.

TRANSIT OPTIONS:

• Walk or public transit
• NWPM Shuttle from PGE Max Stop
• Ride from home in NWPM Service Area

If you reside in the NWPM service area (map), CALL Dave to sign-up or to get a ride: 503 221-1224 ext. 100.

Do you know about Federal Tax Deductions for Volunteers?

Northwest Portland Ministries greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers like you devote to our neighbors in need. We also know that you sometimes incur out-of-pocket costs and we wanted you to know that Uncle Sam treats some of these costs as charitable contributions that you can deduct on your income tax return!

The memo in the documents below, from our partner Hands on Portland, provides information about the tax aspects of volunteering, donations, and costs incurred while volunteering. If you have further questions, require documentation for your tax records or wish to receive this form as a PDF, please contact Northwest Portland Ministries Office Manager Codi Kodama at 503-221-1224 x 103 or email info@nwpm.org.

PS. Good record keeping is key to being able to deduct mileage expenses too! Find an ehow.com contributor's tips on keeping track of those miles here.

Click on the images below for the info.

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Alert! We need a new FREEZER!

Hello friends. Today, the freezer at Northwest Portland Ministries pantry, photo below, went out of service! It has had it's share of repairs, but this time it looks like it is out for good.

Please, if you know of anyone willing to donate a commercial or industrial size freezer to NWPM, please call Preston at 503 221-1224 Ext. 104.

In addition to the regular Pantry hours today from 11:00am to 1:00pm, we did a "portable food pantry" run to residents in need at Williams Plaza to ensure that food would not spoil and go to waste. We served over 70 households today! Additional items went to folks at Medallion & Helen Sweindell Apts.


Big thanks to today's volunteers: Barbara C., Yolanda L., Michele F. Chris B. Timm D, Larry Nelson, Cissy L. & Helen s. Dennis S & of course, Preston H, for getting the food distributed on short notice today!

Food for kids Backpacks: Testimonial

Working mom, Tammy, is grateful for nutrition from NWPM's Food for Kids Backpack Program. She and her daughter agreed to share how the program benefits their family.

For more information, click here. To donate by check, click here, or call (503) 221-1224 ext. 103. To see our current opportunities here!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES as of 3/5/10

Deliver Lunch to Irving Street Loaves & Fishes on Wednesdays
Pick up coolers from the main Loaves & Fishes Kitchen and deliver to the Irving Street Senior Lunch Program at 10:45 a.m., in time for lunch. Needed: A good sized vehicle that can fit several coolers, ability to lift full coolers, or willingness to ask other volunteers to help with that. (Recommended: A tarp or towel to keep your vehicle clean).
Contact Schedule: Pam Porter at pamela.porter503@gmail.com or call 503.327.1253.

Volunteer at the Food Pantry on Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Feed the Hungry! Greet clients and sign them in, assist with filling food requests, stock shelves, maintain neat shelves and racks, light clean-up duties. Address: 1808 NW Irving, First Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Shop the Dock at the Oregon Food Bank Tuesday Mornings
Shopping the dock involves going to the Oregon Food Bank (7900 N.E. 33rd Drive) and seeing what types of fruits, veggies, dairy, bread etc. are available. The items need to be brought to the NWPM Food Pantry at 1808 NW Irving.

Volunteer Driver: Take an elder to the doctor
Use one of the NWPM vehicles or drive your own car to get folks to medical appointments and other key locations.
When: Flexible, based on availability & need
Requirements: Age 23 or older, Ride Connection Application turned in to NWPM, Background check, three training components to be completed within six months.

Deliver Emergency Food Boxes
If you have a vehicle and 30 minutes, you could deliver a food box to a specific hungry person, or get a box of surplus food delivered to our Community Share program to residents at low-income buildings in downtown & NW. Help feed people and keep food from going to waste! Vehicle, Bike trailer or little red wagon needed.
When: Flexible, ideal times are on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, with options sometimes available on Mondays and Thursdays too.

Lend a Helping Hand (individualized support)
Our volunteers are called on to answer requests from our neighbors in Northwest Portland who need assistance with moving, shopping, cleaning, or friendly visits. If you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in someone's life, Helping Hands is a great way to get involved. Note: Williams Plaza resident with a learning disability needs at tutor for his PCC English Class.

Create Your Own Volunteer Opportunity!
NWPM staff is available in a limited capacity to support “out of the box” volunteer work. If you see a need or have an idea, we’d like to hear from you to discuss what might be possible.