How to Give Back to PDX
It’s no secret that we are inspired by the amazing people, small businesses, and farmers of our community. We value being rooted right here in Portland, and that passion extends beyond our ciders.
Giving back to our community is also very important to every member of the Portland Cider team. Earlier this summer, we partnered with Blanchet House to donate $1 from every 6-pack sold to support their to-go meal programs (up to $2,500).
Helping out the community may look a little different right now due to COVID-19 and extra precautions, but there’s no shortage of ways to support our community. Here are five suggestions on how to stay true to our roots and give back to the Portland Area community right now.
Volunteer at Blanchet House
Blanchet (pronounced Blan-shay) House is a nonprofit social services organization located in downtown Portland. They provide food, clothing, and housing programs to people in need. Last year they served over 300,000 meals to those in need.
For our Portland Cider Co. fam, Blanchet House is one of our favorite local charities to support. In addition to donating $1 from every 6-pack sold to support their to-go meal programs this July & August, our taprooms raised money for making sack lunches. The Portland Cider crew is making 50 sack lunches for delivery this October thanks to the generous donations of our taproom regulars.
Volunteers need to be over the age of 14 and can sign up to help serve or package meals. Due to the COVID-19 crisis and new regulations, their clothing donation program is temporarily on hold. They still have an immediate need for certain things, like meal distribution, collecting water bottles, assembling personal care kits, and making sack lunches.
Shop & Drive for Seniors
Store to Door PDX is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. They are a volunteer-based grocery shopping service with a mission to support independent living for Portland seniors and those with disabilities by providing low-cost grocery, prescription, and household item delivery.
The organization is looking for food volunteers to take calls on orders, go to stores to shop the orders, and deliver the orders to their homebound clientele.
Sign up for one of these positions at https://storetodooroforegon.org/volunteer/.
Help the Cats (from home!)
If you’re on the crafty side and love felines, this may be for you! The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon is seeking donations of cage covers and cage cozies for their shelter cats. For the covers, cut cotton or fleece fabric into 28" by 46" rectangles, and for "cage cozies,” cut the fleece into approximately 12" by 6" rectangles.
The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon is a non-profit spay & neuter program that was founded in 1995 and has helped over 100,000 cats.
Due to COVID-19, you will need to contact FCCO for an appointment time to drop off items you would like to donate. Call them at 503-797-2606 or email cats@feralcats.com to arrange a drop off time.
Clean Up the Neighborhood with SOLVE
SOLVE Oregon restores and preserves Oregon’s environment through the power of volunteers and partners. You can regularly find events to get involved in that center around the Portland environment like beach cleanups, litter cleanups, and planting native shrubs.
Their 2nd Annual All Mountain Cleanup will take place on September 19 at Mt. Hood, just an hour outside of downtown Portland. Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register to volunteer online and wear a mask & gloves in response to COVID-19.
Donate Your Extra Fruit
No catch; it really is that simple! Through September 30, Portland Cider Co. is collecting your unwanted fruit for our 5th annual Community Cider in our Fruit Forward Drive. We once again call upon the Portland community for fruit donations. All backyard fruits & berries are encouraged.
Later this fall, when the PDX Community Cider that we make with this fruit is released, 10% of the cider’s profits will be donated to Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon.
No matter how you choose to get involved in our local community, your impact matters. Thank YOU for inspiring us to stay rooted in Portland!
Portland Cider Company is committed to making the best cider in the Pacific Northwest - it’s in our roots! Portland Cider Co. was established in 2013 with the mission of bringing together cider rooted in the English tradition with a little Portland personality and culture. Combine those things, and you’ve got the Portland Cider Company.