What can you do to help homeless people in Portland?
There are alternatives to giving homeless people cash. Donating to organizations that help homeless people or giving them tokens that can be used at local businesses are two ways to assist. The businesses and organizations below work to help the homeless in Portland.
CityTeam Ministries
526 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214
503-231-9334
- Organizations can purchase $5 vouchers good for an overnight stay at the shelter
- Individuals can donate directly to CityTeam Ministries
Daybreak Shelter
12350 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97236
503-548-0200
- Prefer that individuals donate directly to the shelter. They need money, warm clothes, and blankets
- You can also donate your time by volunteering
Outside In
1132 SW 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
503-535-3800
- Donate money and goods directly to the organization.
- Things like socks are often overlooked and can make a world of difference to those in need
Portland Rescue Mission
111 W Burnside St., Portland, OR 97209
503-906-7690
- They recommend putting together a care kit and give it to panhandlers instead of money. You could also donate these items directly to the organization and they can help re-distribute them to those in need. Items include: water bottles, socks, tuna and crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks or apple sauce, gift certificate to fast food restaurants, hand wipes, feminine hygiene products, nail clippers, first aid kits, etc.
- You can also hand out free meal vouchers. Print them online here (PDF)
Sanctity of Hope
700 SE Clay St., Portland, OR 97214
503-473-8177
- Individuals can purchase tokens to give to the homeless instead of cash. The tokens can be used to buy food, clothing, bike parts, haircuts, bus tickets, blankets and more.
Some businesses that accept Sanctity of Hope tokens include:
- Koi Fusion Food Cart – all locations (1 token = 1 taco)
- Pizza Schmizza Fox Tower – 732 SW Yamhill St. (3 tokens for any slice of pizza)
- Big A** Sandwiches – 304 SE 2nd Ave. (1 token = $1)
- Whiffies Fried Pies – 1204 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (1 token = $1)
- Papa's Haven - 800 NW Murray Blvd. (coffee or hot cocoa)
- Transition Projects – 665 NW Hoyt St. (3 tokens = bus/max ticket)
- William Temple House Thrift Store - 2230 NW Glisan St. (1 token = $1)
- Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store – 11611 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard (1 token = $1)
- Blondie Salon- 1225 SW Alder St. (10 tokens = a haircut)
- Bike Gallery - 1001 SW 10th Ave. (1 token = $1)
- Sellwood Bicycle Repair – 7953 SE 13th Ave. (1 token = $1)
Sisters of the Road Café (Website)
133 NW 6th Ave., Portland OR 97209
503-222-5694
- Individuals can purchase $2 meal coupons on its website that can be used for one meal and one drink
St. Francis Dining Hall
330 SE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97214
503-232-5880
- Need donated cups, silverware, towels and rags
- If you are musically talented, they’re also looking for people to perform at Sunday Mass. If you’re interested contact Karen Mathews at the number above or online here
Union Gospel Mission
3 NW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97209
503-274-4483
- Prefer that individuals donate directly to the Mission online here
- In addition to money, the Mission is also in need of clothing, sleeping bags, hygiene items, and food
- They also accept gifts through planned giving
There are alternatives to giving homeless people cash. Donating to organizations that help homeless people or giving them tokens that can be used at local businesses are two ways to assist. These businesses and organizations are working to help homeless people in Portland.
On dec 24 2012 Homeless 86 year old left sitting outside homeless shelter behind Greyhound Station Portland suffering with mental problem and heart problems.She has been doing this so many time over year. Silvia is name of woman and state won't help and harasses and body trying to help.WOULD YOU HELP ME HELP HER GET THE HELP I KNOW THEY ARE NOT GIVING SAYING SHE WON'T TAKE.SHE'S DISABLED AND CAN'T TAKE BUS OR GO IN BUSSINESS BECAUSE THEY WON'T EVEN LET HER USE PUBLIC RESTROOM'S. FOR 7YR SHE BEEN TOLD THEY WILL HELP BUT SHE WILL DIE IN THIS WHEATHER AND SHE NEED ALL OF YOU TO HELP HER.ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE WON'T DO THERE JOB'S AND THEY KNOW HER.PLEASE TELL EVERYONE TO CALL. SHE NEED A PLACE NOW!
Fire Obama and Kitzhaber.
 How about immediate REAL HOUSING, REAL TRAINING, and REAL JOBS or income supports?
@August100 How about them putting forth the effort. Your statement implies that they're all just waiting for somebody to provide those things for them. Have you ever heard of the phrase 'earning your way'?
Most of those that are homeless on Portlands streets have chosen that lifestyle.
Thank you KATU, I may actually be contacting Outside In to see about donating socks (surprisingly I had not thought about that as a need) since Fred Meyers will have those on sale right after Thanksgiving.
How about handing out pens so they can apply for jobs? Oh wait, most of the homeless aren't interested in working.
 @Jamie And your source on that is?
 @pdxd My experience on the street roots for my senior capstone at PDX.
 @pdxd  @FreedomRocks Yes, there are a portion of those that wind up on the street for reasons beyond their control, and are actively working to turn their situation around
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However, a vast majority have found ways to make enough money to survive and see no reason to change into the cliche of "productive citizens." In Portland food is readily available from multiple sources at no cost, ie. food banks, churches, agencies etc. Housing may be a different story, but you'll never go hungry here.
@FreedomRocks I will agree that for some of those that find themselves on the street, they have to want a better life in order to work towards it. However, I do believe that there is also part of the homeless population that have found themselves there due to other circumstances and are presently just trying to survive.
 @pdxd  @Jamie I think it is a pretty well known fact that many choose to live that way because they don't really want to work or can't work because they are always drunk or on drugs.
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Anyone who has lived with someone with addiction issues knows you can't help them until they choose to want to help themselves....
 @Jamie Okay, so it was your own personal observation of the people that you encountered. Okay.
So I looked and it appears the tokens are worth about $1.00
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So you can get 2 and use them for two tacos at the Koi Fusion place and get a lunch for $2.
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Iâm not one to abuse charity, but I might abuse that. The cheapest lunch you could get downtown.
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 @Repoman Thanks for pointing this out.  I may also take advantage of this since you cannot find one affordable place to eat here in the Pearl.
@A74R1 @Repoman Ever heard of packing a lunch?
@JGalt Yeah, some people just never get it.
That's funny.. packing a lunch. It reminds me of the times I ask moochers if they ever heard of getting a job.
@Repoman You sound like you are just overloaded with ethics. I suppose pride, honor, and integrity are also foreign to you.
 @I812  @RepomanÂ
Yeah I have none of those things. Whatever.Â
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So it is OK if I buy tokens and give them to a person who for whatever reason "gets" them, but buying them and using them yourself, oh now there's a sin.
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On one hand it is acceptable to beg for charity and use it. On the other buying something someone is selling, that's the real crime.
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https://sistersoftheroadcafe.ejoinme.org/MyPages/MerchandisePage/tabid/208172/Default.aspx
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Oh if you look at the website, they are OK with people using this for themselves. Who âthemselvesâ might be is ambiguous.
@JGalt You are jumping to conclusions. I am not championing any cause and there is a big difference between the "helpless" and the "homeless." Many of these charities do not care why people are homeless, they just offer them a decent meal for little or no money. In reality, probably less than 20% of the homeless are homeless through no overt fault of their own. Many are homeless by choice - they simply don't function in an orderly society. Others are homeless by choice through alcohol and/or drug use. Probably 10% or less are "helpless" through severe mental/physical impairment. Society should help these people.
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My point is that it is unethical for a working, able bodied person to take advantage of programs designed to serve the homeless simply because it is a cheaper alternative. The least cost option is to pack your own lunch. If someone is crying about the cost of food in the vicinity of their workplace they should look at alternatives rather than taking from those that have little or nothing.
@I812 If you're going to tell everybody that 'sin' is a myth, but beg for their empathy on the basis of charity being a virtue, you're about as full of it as you can get. I went to a bar last night to drop of some food I made for a friend, a bumkid offered me 25 cents for what cost me at least a dollar. He said he was 'on the street' and hungry. He sure didn't have a problem buying alcohol, though. These are the 'helpless' whose cause you champion. Bravo.
@Repoman First, nobody said anything about sin, a fictitous construct of fantasy and myth. Second, the programs discussed in this story are intended to help "homeless" people. Are you homeless? Third, those that don't qualify as the intended recipients won't be judged by most of these organizations but it will still mean less going to the intended recipients. Fourth, how would you feel if you were an intended recipient but you had to go without because somebody who was not intended to be helped by these programs took advantage? Fifth, in the final analysis you are really the only one who has to like the person staring back at you in the mirror.