PORTLAND, Ore. — The Union Gospel Mission served hundreds on Easter Sunday to help people experiencing homelessness in the Portland area.
The nonprofit has made it an annual tradition to serve meals to struggling people on major holidays such as Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
In a news release, the Union Gospel Mission said about 300 meals would be handed out from its building on Northwest Third Avenue and West Burnside Street starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Another 600 meals are expected to be delivered by a mobile outreach team to homeless camps throughout the metro area this week.
Each meal includes ham, potatoes au Gratin, green beans with bacon and onions, a dinner roll, tropical fruit salad and dessert. The kitchen crew used more than 200 pounds each of ham and scalloped potatoes to put the meals together.
"We do put in extra effort for the holidays," said Courtney Dodds, spokesperson for the Union Gospel Mission. "I think when you're experiencing homelessness, you're often separated from family and maybe don't have the means to celebrate in a way that you would have in the past. And so we want to provide something a little extra special for people on the holidays."
In addition to preparing 900 meals for people in need, the Mission put together 250 food baskets for families who are housed but are unable to provide an Easter brunch for their families.
Anyone who would like to help the Union Gospel Mission provide meals and food boxes to people in need can visit the organization's website or call 503-274-4483.