Giving Tuesday is here, and business districts are filled with the spirit of kindness and generosity – as well as holiday decorations, festive events, and everything you need to make the season merry and bright.
Portland’s family of business districts actively support local causes at twice the rate of national chains and show their gratitude to the customers who keep them in business. Thank you for your continued support. This holiday season, we hope you will take a moment to recognize the dedication of Portland’s small business owners, plan a visit to one (or many!) of our City’s 50 business districts, and discover why they make Portland a world-class place to live. Here are a few ideas for giving back at your favorite small businesses while also finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list:
- Beaumont: The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s only full-time charity focused on fighting animal hunger. They provide quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy, and out of the shelters. Shop at Green Dog Pet Supply and support The Pongo Fund!
- Foster: Mt. Scott Learning Center enrolls 160 students in grades 9-12, with a full core curriculum, elective offerings, monthly service learning, and community partnerships in the arts, outdoor education, and more.
- Kenton: Posie’s Cafe is currently hosting a holiday gift drive in partnership with NAYA! To donate a Christmas gift to a Native American teen in foster care, stop by, select a tag, shop for the gift on the card, and return it unwrapped to Posies with the tag by December 18th.
- Lloyd: Give hope for the holidays by supporting Project Lemonade, a non-profit that supports foster youth and provides resources for them to realize their gifts and gain confidence, so they achieve success in school and life.
- Mississippi Ave: Mississippi Avenue is going all out for Giving Tuesday! Tons of participating businesses on Mississippi Avenue will be donating 10% of their sales to Boise-Eliot-Humboldt school, so plan to shop ’til you drop.
- Montavilla: During Winterfest, Montavilla businesses will be accepting donations of food, kids’ clothes, adult coats, laundry cards, Fred Meyer gift cards, and toys for the Vestal Elementary School PTA to distribute to families in need.
- Multnomah Village: Sarah Bellum’s Bakery is a non-profit that empowers adults with acquired brain injuries to re-engage in the community. They help rebuild their sense of purpose, meaning, and identity through return-to-work opportunities in their community-based, functional rehabilitation bakery program.
- NW Industrial: All gifts, big or small, to LIFT UP help to increase food security in our community. As little as $5 equals 15 healthy and nutritious meals for your neighbors who need them the most.
- Old Town: Support the only Chinese Garden in Oregon! A gift to the Lan Su Chinese Garden provides funding for long-term safety measures, maintenance projects, care of the garden’s hundreds of species of plants, and cultural and education programs.
- Raleigh Hills: Raleigh Hills Business Association’s Shop with a Cop program creates a positive law enforcement experience with at-risk youth and teaches them the gift of holiday giving. They are currently accepting donations to help make local families’ holidays merry and bright.
- St. Johns: Consider supporting Swapnplay because they exist to ease the burden on low and moderate-income North Portland families by providing access to shared resources.
- Williams District: Give the gift of music this holiday season! Founded in 1998, Ethos provides music lessons, multicultural performances, and outreach to thousands of students each year. Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) provides support to families and community members throughout the holiday season, including meals and gift baskets, utility assistance, and housing services.
This list is non-exhaustive, so you can find more opportunities to give back in Willamette Week’s Give Guide. Show us how you are celebrating Giving Tuesday on Instagram!