Preston’s Food Pantry

About Preston’s Pantry

The Preston’s Food Pantry is a partnership between First Church and Lift Urban Portland, whose mission to reduce hunger and improve the lives of lower income residents in the Downtown Portland area.

Lift Urban Portland (Lift UP) operates a free food pantry at First Church that shoppers may visit up to twice a month. You can choose from a wide selection of fresh food to take home, including meat and eggs, fresh produce, dry and canned goods, and dairy products.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

    Tuesdays are by appointment only for people experiencing mobility challenges or health conditions that require assistance while standing, waiting, or shopping. Appointments are available from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Currently, there are no available appointments. Add your name to the waitlist here. Have questions regarding appointments? Contact Program Manager Teresa Steichen at 503-221-1224 x105. Note: Lift UP cannot accommodate same-day appointments.

    Appointments are not necessary on Thursdays and Fridays. Instead, we allocate Thursday and Friday shopping times through a lottery drawing. Please arrive no earlier than 2:00 pm, but you must arrive by 2:30 pm to participate in the lottery. The lottery will begin shortly afterward — usually between 2:40-2:45 pm. Using a lottery system ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to shop. Please arrive before 5:45 pm to shop, or we will ask you to return the next shopping day.

    Visitors leave with about three grocery bags of food. Please bring your own bags or box and be prepared to transport the groceries.

  • You are eligible to shop at Preston’s Pantry if:

    1. You live in Downtown or Northwest Portland (zip codes: 97201, 97204, 97205, 97209, 97210, 97239). Please bring proof of residency (rent receipt, utility bill, ID card, mail, etc.).

      If you live beyond these zip codes, use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder for nearby resources.

    2. Your income level is below the maximum eligible income for your household size.

      1 Person Household: $3,190

      5 Person Household: $7,670

      2 Person Household: $4,310

      6 Person Household: $8,790

      3 Person Household: $5,430

      7 Person Household: $9,910

      4 Person Household: $6,550

      8 Person Household: $11,030

  • Eligible pantry visitors may visit its shopping-style pantry twice a month and select from fresh produce, yogurt and dairy, dry and canned goods, meat, and eggs.

  • You’ll find Preston’s Pantry conveniently located near the Goose Hollow Tri-Met stop in the back of First United Methodist Church. It can be accessed by the Red and Blue MAX lines and bus lines 6, 24, 58, and 68. Bus lines 51 and 63 are also nearby and drop riders a few blocks from the free food pantry. Plan Your TriMet Trip .

DONATE

  • To give by check you can write to “First United Methodist Church”, with “Food Pantry” in the memo line and mail to:

    1838 SW Jefferson St Portland OR, 97201

  • You can make a financial donation via a debit or credit card, or electronic bank transfer securely online. You can set recurring or one-time payments. 

  • If you would like to donate food to the Preston’s Food Pantry, please make arrangements with Pantry Program Manager Teresa Steichen at

    teresa@lifturbanportland.org

    503-221-1224 ext.105

Volunteer Sign-up

LIFT UP thrives because of the hard work of committed volunteers. We would love to have you join our amazing, dedicated team!

Interested in Volunteering at Preston’s Food Pantry?

  • Email: julie@lifturbanportland.org

    Phone: 503-221-1224

  • Lifturbanportland.org

Contact

For questions related to the Preston’s Pantry, please contact Lift Urban Portland

503-221-1224

info@lifturbanportland.org or visit lifturbanportland.org.