Southeast Portland Community Members Plan Holiday Meal Benefitting Neighbors in Need

Online, October 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Portland, OR - A group of Southeast Portland residents announced that it will host a community Thanksgiving meal on November 25, 2010, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Mt. Scott Community Center in SE Portland. The event, dubbed "Feast for Southeast," is expected to draw between 150 and 200 attendees whom might otherwise go without a traditional holiday meal this year.

The neighbors are partnering with Lifehouse Church, the Mt. Scott Community Center, the Mt. Scott/Arleta Neighborhood Association, Woodstock Business and Neighborhood Association, Great Harvest Bread Co., Impact NW, the Oregon Culinary Institute, Starbucks, UPS Store, and other organizations to put on this holiday event. The meal will benefit those residents of Southeast Portland who find themselves in unfortunate situations - the homeless, the unemployed or underemployed, families in need, the lonely. The group's goal is to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal including turkey, ham and all the fixings as well as desserts, entertainment, a festive vibe and more importantly caring and welcoming neighbors willing to "be a friend."

"We really see this as a grassroots effort that is 'for the community, by the community.' We have had the dream of doing something like this for many years, and with the current economic situation being what it is, we feel that now is the time," said Rob Selva.

Feast for Southeast is inviting local businesses, organizations and individuals to make tax-deductible donations toward the hard costs of the event, including food, beverages, and supplies. The group will honor all contributions with signage at the Feast for Southeast event, inclusion in the final publicity and live mentions both at the holiday event and in resulting news coverage. It is a great way for businesses to make an impact on the community and gain positive exposure.

Businesses interested in making donations to the event, or individuals interested in volunteering their time or talent should contact Feast for Southeast (Feast4Southeast@gmail.com) or call Rob Selva at 503-849-6615 for more information. You can also follow the Feast for Southeast blog at www.feast4southeast.blogspot.com.