We Provide a Community For Families Falling Through the Cracks
Birch Community Services addresses the roots of hunger and economic hardship in our community of Portland, Oregon through:
- Supplying groceries and household items to save money in order to pursue financial goals
- Providing financial courses and one-on-one meetings to educate and advise on how to effectively achieve financial goals
- Creating a community of dignity and accountability through participants volunteering together
Our mission is to build a financially stable community by providing education, food, and nurturing accountability.
Fast Facts 2022
In 2022, BCS served 956 households who come to us with an average of $25,000 worth of debt. Read more about living wages in the Portland Metro area.
Birch serves 70 other nonprofit agencies and food pantries each week, reaching about 30,000 people.
Over 300 generous food growers, processors, distributors, and retailers give food and household items to help working, struggling families.
Every family who joins our Sustainable Families Program will have one-on-one meetings every six months with one of our financial counselors. These meetings result in a financial plan and strategy, tailored to drive individual families’ toward success. In addition to these valuable meetings we also had 618 class participants in our financial education courses.
In the first year of the program, the average family pays down $6,500 of debt and increases savings by $3,000.
BCS relied on 1,682 volunteers in 2022, including every participant family. This added up to 30,980 volunteer hours (a $800,000 value!).
Check out our blog: The Birch Blog!
Get inspired to work towards your family’s financial goals, keeping your values in focus, all while you have fun serving your family delicious meals!
Volunteer as an Individual
Volunteer as a Group
Our Community Partners
Over two hundred and eighty community partners donate food, clothing, footwear, and small household items to help address poverty in our community.
READY TO HELP?
Support Birch Community Services, addressing
the root causes of families' economic hardships.
Quick Info
Participant Shoppers must sign up for a time slot prior to arrival.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Last shopper accepted at 6:00 p.m.
Holiday Schedule 2023 (BCS is closed)
- Memorial Day (Monday, May 29)
- Labor Day (Monday, Sept 4)
- Black Friday (Friday, Nov 24)
- Christmas Day (Monday, Dec 25)
Weather/emergency closures (snow or ice) will be posted on the front page of the website, Facebook, and sent via email.
Transparency
Find Birch on Charity Navigator and GuideStar to see about intelligent giving and how we’re committed to being excellent stewards of what is given to us.