Lift UPdate: Leaving a Legacy
As Lift UP steps into celebrating its 40-year anniversary of providing essential services to our Northwest and Downtown Portland neighbors, we take a moment to salute Bonny Groshong - pioneer, Lift UP founding member, past president, driver, cheerleader, and pure delight.
According to Bonny, “things were very different 40 years ago.” That’s when her congregation was approached by a local senior center overflowing with clients. “They couldn’t meet the needs of the community and so we stepped in to help. Lots of people were dealing with loneliness.”
Maybe not so different after all. We know one of the most powerful effects of poverty and the pandemic is acute social isolation, especially for seniors required to be separated from their family and friends while quarantined.
A lot has changed in Portland over the past 40 years, but according to Bonny something that hasn’t changed is, “At Lift UP, the needs of the client have always come first.” Bonny is consistently inspired by the volunteers’ commitment to meet the evolving needs of the community.
“When we first started, there was an apartment building across from First Immanuel Lutheran Church that housed mostly seniors. We would bring coffee and snacks on the days we knew they'd be checking their mail. It was fun connecting with the community. We hosted picnics, provided coffee, and the opportunity to socialize.”
Fast forward 40 years and Lift UP volunteers are still showing up at apartment buildings delivering nutritious food boxes and building community.
Thank you to Bonny and all the volunteers who came before us. Your legacy gift will ensure Lift UP will continue to be able provide essential food services and foster community in Portland.
The Lift UP Legacy Society is a great way to ensure that future generations will still have access to healthy, nutritious, fresh foods. To learn more, click here, or call us at 503-221-1224.
According to Bonny, “things were very different 40 years ago.” That’s when her congregation was approached by a local senior center overflowing with clients. “They couldn’t meet the needs of the community and so we stepped in to help. Lots of people were dealing with loneliness.”
Maybe not so different after all. We know one of the most powerful effects of poverty and the pandemic is acute social isolation, especially for seniors required to be separated from their family and friends while quarantined.
A lot has changed in Portland over the past 40 years, but according to Bonny something that hasn’t changed is, “At Lift UP, the needs of the client have always come first.” Bonny is consistently inspired by the volunteers’ commitment to meet the evolving needs of the community.
“When we first started, there was an apartment building across from First Immanuel Lutheran Church that housed mostly seniors. We would bring coffee and snacks on the days we knew they'd be checking their mail. It was fun connecting with the community. We hosted picnics, provided coffee, and the opportunity to socialize.”
Fast forward 40 years and Lift UP volunteers are still showing up at apartment buildings delivering nutritious food boxes and building community.
Thank you to Bonny and all the volunteers who came before us. Your legacy gift will ensure Lift UP will continue to be able provide essential food services and foster community in Portland.
The Lift UP Legacy Society is a great way to ensure that future generations will still have access to healthy, nutritious, fresh foods. To learn more, click here, or call us at 503-221-1224.