Wow! 1,101 meals served at Thanksgiving

The day began early, as crews came to set up the 120' foot NW Natural Gas tent at 6:00 am and volunteers began preparing a the meal...

Over 300 volunteers were involved in preparing the Thanksgiving meal.

More than an hour before the event began, a line stretched along the block at W. Burnside street.

The NW Natural Gas tent was quickly filled as volunteer served 1,101 meals in just 4 short hours.

Yesterday, we only had 80 turkeys, but by Thanksgiving morning, nearly 300 turkeys had poured into Union Gospel Mission! We are blessed and humbled by the generosity of our community this Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Dinner for 1,000 at Union Gospel Mission

Thanksgiving is a mere 48 hours away. Many are preparing for friends and family to arrive for the big meal.

At Union Gospel Mission we are preparing for a big meal- a REALLY big meal, enough to feed over 1,000 people.

Here are the numbers:

100 Turkeys
175 lbs of stuffing
450 lbs mashed potatoes
60 gallons of gravy
200 lbs of yams
200 lbs mixed vegetables
2,000 dinner rolls
225 pies
60 gallons of juice

As I type at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, we are short 20 turkeys. We should be able to make it work with 80, but it would be nice to have the 100 turkeys to ensure we can generously heap the turkey meat on every plate, and provide some turkeys for food boxes for individuals and families in need.

Its not too late to help! You can give online at www.ugmportland.org or call us at 503-274-4483 or drop off a turkey at 15 NW Third Avenue in Portland.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Haggen Food & Pharmacy Food Drive

We are so fortunate to have community partners like Haggen Food & Pharmacy! Four locations:

Murray Hill Haggen Food & Pharmacy, 9055 S.W. Murray Blvd., Beaverton.

Oregon City Haggen Food & Pharmacy, 19701 Highway 213.

Tanasbourne Haggen Food & Pharmacy, 18000 N.W. Evergreen Pkwy., Beaverton.

Tualatin Haggen Food & Pharmacy, 8515 S.W. Tualatin-Sherwood Road.

Are participating in a Thanksgiving food drive with Union Gospel Mission. At any of the above locations you may drop off non-perishable food items, such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed items like potato and stuffing mix are especially needed. Haggen stores also have a wonderful system in place where customers can purchase a $5 pre-packaged grocery bag of needed items. It makes donating easy!

Join Union Gospel Mission, at the Tualatin Haggen Food & Pharmacy on Saturday November 15 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm where "The Buzz" 105.1 FM radio will be on hand with wonderful prize give-aways! A great time to stop by and make a donation.

Many served at Operation Overcoat

Nearly 1,500 meals were served and many thousands of articles of clothing were given away at Operation Overcoat 2008

A meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, and macaroni salad was served.

Hundreds of people received clothes, shoes, hygiene items and blankets.

The crowd was entertained by the SPO dancers and other musical acts that performed throughout the event.

Furniture Outlet provides great donation for Operation Overcoat

Furniture Outlet has been a great partner in helping Union Gospel Mission collect items for Operation Overcoat. Furniture Outlet co-owner Trudy Palo was kind enough to drop off two truckloads!!


Even though the big Operation Overcoat event is less than 48 hours away, there is still time to make a donation. Blankets, undergarments and hygiene items are still urgently needed. You can make a secure online donation at www.ugmportland.org or call 503-274-4483

Operation Overcoat video

Learn more about Operation Overcoat!

Underwear needed for a good cause!

Union Gospel Mission is seeking churches willing to have an "Undie Sunday" on Sunday September 21 and collect new socks and underwear for men, women and children who are homeless or in need. This is part of "Operation Overcoat" a annual clothing giveaway on Saturday September 27. At Operation Overcoat thousands of articles of clothing are given away.

Union Gospel Mission is also seeking businesses willing to have an "Undie Monday" to collect new socks and underwear.

Are you ready to have an "undie" day at your church or business?

Here's what to do:

1. Contact Stacy Kean at stacyk@ugmportland.org or 503-274-4483 to let Union Gospel Mission know your group is participating.

2. Let all your friends at work and/or church know! Ask them to bring new socks, underwear and even hygiene items on "Undie Sunday" or "Undie Monday"

3. Drop off the collected items at Union Gospel Mission at 15 NW Third Ave. in Portland before September 27.

In addition to new socks and underwear, hygiene items, such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and lotion are needed!

Please consider having an "Undie" day for a good cause!