7.28.2010
Stolen Van Found Totaled
   
Totaled van at wrecking yard.

The good news is that the van was found. The bad news is that it is totaled. Police discovered it abandoned on 147th and Market in outer Southeast Portland on Saturday. Three wheels were missing, as well as the spare wheel, a scale, a dolly and a Fresh Alliance food container. The driver's side window was gone, likely smashed at the initial breakin. The windshield was cracked up and the body was dented in several places, probably from when the theif smashed the van through the security fence. PACS left the van with the police department as a more cost effective alternative to paying the police towing fees and having the van towed again to a private wrecking yard. A U-Haul van is being rented to temporarily fill the gap in food pickup capacity left by the totaled van, until a permanent replacement can be found. Unfortunately, since the van was an older model, it only held liability insurance, meaning that PACS has to foot the full bill for any replacement vehicle.

7.23.2010
PACS Vehicle Stolen/Security Fence Mangled Again
       
The damaged security fence this morning, previous photos of van that is missing.

One of PACS vehicles was stolen last night and a portion of a security fence was destroyed. The 1991 Ford E150 is one of three vehicles PACS uses to pick up food from businesses and organizations. Donated food is then provided to low income families through the PACS Food Pantry. The van is white and unmarked. It has a license plate of 598 CSL. This is the second time in less than a year that a PACS vehicle has been stolen in this manner. In September of 2009 one of the other trucks was stolen and the security fence was damaged. The vehicle was later found abandoned in an industrial zone. In both cases, it appears the thief climbed over the fence, then rammed the vehicle through the gates to get it out. Anyone having any information relating to the crime or the whereabouts of the van is encouraged to contact the Portland Police at 503.823.3333.

6.25.2010
2010 Awards Dinner & Auction for Needy Families
This year's Awards Dinner & Auction will take place at 5 p.m. on October 3. It is an important event that connects PACS' supporters with each other and the organization, and raises critical funding to sustain services in the PACS Food Pantry and Health Clinic. Sponsors are needed to make this event a success. Please call us at 503.252.8500 if you can sponsor or if you simply would like to attend the event ($50 per person). Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

6.25.2010
Clinic, OAIC Partner to Expand Flu Vaccination
The PACS Family Health Clinic has provided vaccines to volunteers and established clinic patients in past years. This year the service will be extended to the rest of the community. Immunization drives will be held during the upcoming flu season, thanks to a $1,500 mini-grant from the Oregon Adult Immunization Coalition (OAIC) to purchase a lab grade refrigerator. This addition will provide the vaccine storage space needed to carry out these drives. Check out the latest newsletter for more details.

View the 2009 Annual Report
Click here to view the report as a pdf file. If you are not able to open the file, please download and install Adobe Reader here.

1.18.2010
Eat Out on March 16 and Help Needy Families
Acapulco Mexican Restaurant (10566 SE Washington, Portland) will donate 25% of your tab to PACS if you go on March 16 (11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.) AND bring THIS promotional flyer with you. Print the flyer, mark your calendar, and we hope to see you there!

1.18.2010
How to Help in Haiti
Since PACS is focused locally in Portland, Oregon, we would like to refer you to ADRA, our sister organization that provides disaster response on a global basis. Monetary donations are the most efficient way to help with the Haiti earthquake relief effort. Click here to learn more about ADRA's effort and make a donation. To make sure the suffering people of Haiti see the benefits of your gift, be sure to donate only to reputable organizations (ADRA, The Red Cross, MercyCorps, etc.) and make sure you are using their correct address, website or phone number when submitting funds. We hope you will also join us in continued prayer for those who have been effected by this devastating earthquake.

12.4.2009
A Record Day in the Food Pantry
On Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, 178 families received help from the PACS Food Pantry, making it the busiest day in the history of the program. Today's U.S. unemployment report showed the rate dropping slightly for the first time in a long time. This is a positive sign, but even if the trend continues, a full recovery will likely happen slowly. For now, a large number of people are still trapped without jobs and are facing a tough holiday season. The PACS Food Pantry is there to help these families keep food on the table during these difficult times. You can help one of these families today. Click here to make a donation online that will make a difference for needy families this Christmas.

11.6.2009
A Dear Family Member Lost
Bernie Paulson, wife of PACS volunteer manager Carol Paulson, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2009 after suffering burns and lung damage in an accident at home. Bernie was known at PACS for his singing talent, his sense of humor, and his efforts to make a difference as a volunteer. He spent a large portion of his life spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a singing evangelist, accompanied by Carol on organ or piano. Bernie suffered a brain aneurism in 1993 during a series of meetings in California. It wasn't until six years later that he began to sing again. He never returned to his career on the road as a singing evangelist, but has performed often at churches and other events in the Portland area over the past several years. A memorial service for Bernie will be held on November 21 at 3:00 p.m. at the Rockwood Seventh-day Adventist Church. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PACS. Bernie will be deeply missed, not only as a member of Carol's family, but also as a member of our PACS family. He was a big part of each of our lives. It will not be the same without him, but we continue to be inspired by his legacy of service and outreach, and we look forward to the day when we will see him again in heaven.

Here is a video of Bernie & Carol performing with the Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus:

10.20.2009
Awards Dinner Breaks Century Mark, plus Mortgage Paid Off
The PACS Awards Dinner and Auction was a huge success this year. The goal was to raise $75,000 in honor of the organization's 75th anniversary. Instead, over $100,000 was raised. Adventist Medical Center was awarded the Barbara Nelson Award for ongoing support of the PACS Family Health Clinic, and other PACS programs. Willamette Emergency Physicians, Diagnostic Radiologists, P.C., and Cherry Park Pathology Associates, P.C. were also recognized as part of the complete partnership. Special thanks to Generations Retirement Communities, Adventist Medical Center, Great Western Real Estate, and all the other generous organizations and individuals who sponsored and participated in this year's event.

PACS received several gifts towards the mortgage campaign recently and was able to make the final payment at the Awards Dinner. Director Paul L. Cole teamed up with former director Rhonda Whitney, board chair John Korb, and a large group of current and past board members to hold a burning ceremony for the mortgage on stage. We want to say a special thank you to every person and organization who contributed to this effort.

9.15.2009
Pulitzer Finalist Writes about PACS
Inara Verzemnieks, a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2006 and feature writer for the Oregonian, has written a three-part series featuring PACS. Of course the real focus is not on the organization. It is on the people who come to PACS every day. The stories are eye opening and sobering. They remind us how easily we forget, or never even fully realize the complexity of the lives of people who must turn to charitable organizations to meet basic needs.

All three stories are definately worth a read. Here are the links:

Lessons from the Thrift Store

Oregon Emergency Food Pantry Strives for that Elusive Balance: Supply vs. Demand

A Week at Portland Adventist Community Services: Volunteering Isn't Always Easy

9.15.2009
PACS Refrigerated Truck Stolen, then Recovered
The truck was discovered missing on Sunday morning. Monday morning it was found abandoned in NW Portland. The body, door handle, windshield and starter had been damaged. The truck is used to pick up food for the PACS Food Pantry from grocery stores, Oregon Food Bank, and other locations. Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to contact Portland Police at 503.823.3333.

9.4.2009
Ride for Hunger, Sweet Tomatoes Events a Big Boost for Needy Families
The response to Robert Hastings' Ride for Hunger continues. The total amount of gifts and pledges now stands at $7,440.72. For those of you who were involved with our Sweet Tomatoes fundraiser, it raised over $1,200! Thank you for your participation in these events. These funds provide food and health care services to people who have nowhere else to run to fill these needs. We are also very thankful to Robert Hastings and Sweet Tomatoes for hosting these events.

8.21.2009
Welcome Home Robert Hastings!
   
Robert Hastings rode back into town just before 5 p.m. on August 20. The trip covered more than 6,272 miles and has raised almost exactly that amount ($6,273) in donations and pledges. Visit Roberts blog for more pictures stories from the road. And it is not to late to contribute. You can add to the total by donating now in honor of the trip. Be sure to mention "Ride for Hunger" in the comments.

8.19.2009
Eat Out and Help Struggling Families
On Monday, August 24 Sweet Tomatoes of Clackamas will celebrate their 10th anniversary. They will donate 10% of that day's sales to PACS to help needy families through the food pantry and health clinic. Bring the whole family! All standard discounts and coupons are accepted. All you have to do is come and eat, and 10% of your check goes to a great cause! Sweet Tomatoes of Clackamas is located at 13011 SE 84th Ave, Clackamas.
.
View Larger Map

8.3.2009
Ride for Hunger in Progress
       
He's on the road, and he's already braved temperatures as high as 108 degrees, in his leather riding gear! Check out Robert Hastings' Ride for Hunger blog at rideforhunger.blogspot.com. He's posted several updates from the road, and some beautiful pictures. Please consider showing appreciation for all of Robert's time, effort and expense, by making a contribution to PACS in honor of the "Ride for Hunger". Click here to print the brochure and response form, or donate online online. Be sure to mention "Ride for Hunger" in the comments. Thank you for partnering with Robert to help needy families!

7.14.2009
6,000 Mile Motorcycle Trip for Hunger
Former PACS board member, Robert Hastings, is raising funds for needy families by taking a 6,000 mile road trip across America on his motorcycle! The trip will begin on July 27, and Robert hopes to complete it by August 20. He will provide regular updates from the road on the Ride for Hunger blog at rideforhunger.blogspot.com.

You can join Robert in supporting needy families through this project. Click here to see the full brochure about the project, and find out how you can be a part of it! You can also donate towards the effort online. Be sure to mention "Ride for Hunger" in the comments.

7.12.2009
Awards Dinner and Auction Celebrates 75 Years of Serving Others
PACS began in 1934, making this year the 75th Anniversary for the organization. This year's Awards Dinner and Auction is a special celebration of that milestone. The goal is to raise a record $75,000 for needy families. We need your help to do this. Click here to find out how to be a sponsor. Auction items are also needed, and individual tickets can be purchased. For more information, call PACS at 503.252.8500.

7.12.2009
Unemployment Still High, Food Pantry Still Serving Large Numbers
Oregon unemployment remains above 12%. PACS has already served 36,871 people through June, in increase of more than 1500 people from the same period last year.

4.22.2009
PACS Featured on OPB Radio
The PACS Food Pantry was featured on Think Out Loud, a locally produced program that airs on OPB Radio. Host Emily Harris visited PACS to gather information for her opening segment. The rest of the program took a close look at the problem of hunger, and featured an eye-opening interview with a mother named Stephanie, who has struggled to support her family after a series of damaging events left them homeless. To listen to a recording of the broadcast, click here, then click on the play button just below the headline on the page that comes up.

4.17.2009
Oregon 2nd Worst in Nation for Unemployment
The Oregon unemployment rate has hit 12.1%, making Oregon the 2nd worst state for employment. Michigan was first at 12.6%. Meanwhile, PACS continues to handle a high volume of need. In 2008, the PACS Food Pantry served 73,369 people. We are on pace to eclipse that number this year. Though March, we had already seen 18,625 through the food pantry.

4.3.2009
Unemployment Hits 25 Year High
Today the federal government announced that the unemployment rate has increased to 8.5%. Meanwhile, Oregon has an unemployment rate of higher than 10%! Of course high unemployment means more people without health insurance or adequate food resources. Thus far, the PACS Food Pantry has been blessed with enough food to keep up with the need, though the increased workload has been a challenge. The PACS Family Health Clinic makes a difference for hundreds of uninsured patients each year. Unfortunately, this is a limited portion of a much greater need, and that need is growing even larger now. You can help PACS have a bigger impact for families in need of food and health care. Click here to make a donation and have a direct impact on needy families.

2.24.2009
PACS Featured on Northwest Newschannel 8
Click here to watch the story.

2.2.2009
2008 Marks Significant Increase in Need
   
The PACS Food Pantry provided emergency food assistance to 73,369 people in 2008. That is an increase of 7,966 people compared to 2007. Total numbers utilizing PACS in 2008, including the food pantry, health clinic, thrift stores and gift shop were 253,865, an increase of 51,124 over 2007, and the highest numbers PACS has ever seen.